Field evaluation of promising jackfruit (artocarpus heterophyllus lam.) types

Abstract

The study entitled"Field evaluation of promising jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) types"based on morphological, yield and quality characters was undertaken in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad during 2016-18. The study consisted of ten jackfruit types such as KJ 121 (fruiting thrice), KJ 173 (flakeless), KJ 180 (seedless), KJ 182 (cluster), KJ 183 (off-season), KJ 185 (early), KJ 186 (early), KJ 224 (high TSS), KJ 356 (high TSS) and KJ 397 (gumless), located in farmers‟ field in Kasargod district, already identified and characterized by Nimisha (2016) and two check varieties - Muttom Varikka and Singapore jack. Among the jackfruit types subjected to evaluation, KJ 185, KJ 121, KJ 173 and KJ 186 were observed to be early season bearers (December to February), while KJ 183 was observed to bear fruits during off season (upto August). These types could be used to fulfill the need of fruits during off season. Jack type KJ 356 and KJ 397 could be suggested for value-addition as KJ 356 possessed highest fruit weight (10.30 kg) and flake weight per fruit (3.45 kg) and KJ 397 had gumless fruits. Jackfruit types like KJ 173 (flakeless) could be used for culinary purpose whereas KJ 180 (seedless) with rudimentary seeds could be conserved for future breeding programme in jackfruit. Highest flake thickness (4.77 mm) observed in KJ 182, followed by KJ 185 (3.73 mm) and highest TSS recorded in KJ 182 (31.47oB) and KJ 185 (31.13oB) suggested the suitability of these types for dessert purposes. Jackfruit types, KJ 182, KJ 185 and KJ 186 were found to be superior in most of the quality parameters like TSS, titrable acidity, TSS-acid ratio, reducing sugar percent and carotenoid content. Hence, KJ 173 (flakeless), KJ 183 (off-season), KJ 182 (cluster), KJ 185 (early), KJ 186 (early) and KJ 397 (gumless) need to be popularized for cultivation.