Variation in Local Apricots Growing in District Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh (India)

Abstract

The variation on 700 apricot ( Prunus armenicaL.) seedling trees in respect of physico-chemical characters, leaf area and yield were studied. The population had distinct variation for these characters. The fruit weight ranged between 4.0-29.3 g, fruit length 1.9-3.6 cm, fruit diameter 1.9-3.5 cm, fruit volume from 2.1-27.5 cm ³. The stone weight varied from 0.5-2.9 g, kernel weight 0.2-0.7 g, flesh weight 3.5-21.6 g and flesh/stone ratio from 2.7-15.5. The total soluble solids ranged between 6.5 to 18.0%, acidity from 0.4 to 3.4% and oil content from 25.0 to 60.2 per cent. The leaf area varied from 8.2-39.9 cm ²and yield per tree from 10.0 to 175.0 kg.