Evaluation of Physical Parameters of Different Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) Varieties under Sub-tropical Conditions of Punjab, India

Abstract

The ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) is one of the ancient and common fruits indigenous to India. It grows in tropical, sub-tropical and arid regions of the world. The present study was undertaken on “Evaluation of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) varieties under sub-tropical conditions of Punjab” at laboratory of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib during the year 2022. The fruit samples were collected from the ber orchard Patiala. Eight cultivars (Umran, Sanaur-2, Wallaiti, Kaithli, Sanaur-5, Dandan, Gola and Chhuhara) were selected for physical analysis. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. All physical fruit characters such as fruit size, weight and colour showed significant differences amongst ber cultivars. The late season cultivar Umran was found to be superior in physical characters [fruit length (4.99); fruit breadth (3.36 cm); fruit weight (25.73) and pulp (93.66 %)] followed by Sanaur-2. The specific gravity of fruits of all ber varieties were less than. one at maturity and were ripened. The palatability rating was noted highest i.e.8.05 out of 9.00 in cv. Sanaur-2 followed by in cv. Gola (8.00) and rated as very much desirable.