Development and purity identification of hybrids by using molecular marker in wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

The study was conducted in locations Tatool (L-1) district Solan, Narag (L-2) and Daron (L-3) district Sirmour, H.P. The half sibs from Narag and Daron location performed best for seedling height, minimal fruit borer incidence and oval shape. The highest titratable acidity was recorded from genotype L3T3 (Daron location) with elliptical shape which is beneficial for Anardana processing. The tree genotypes bearing ovate and elliptical shaped fruits can be preferred for better fruit size selection. High heritability followed by genetic advance was observed for percent germination and seedling at six month age. In cross L2T2 X L3T3, reputed fresh weight of seed without aril and germination was better whereas L1T1 X L2T1 cross showed better fruit quality biochemical estimates. The fruit crosses viz. L2T4 X L2T1 and L2T2 X L2T1 were found to have lower incidences of the borer attack. Maximum value in fruit traits were obtained from open pollination as compared to controlled cross combination for all the characters except fruit weight and fresh seed weight with aril. The hybrids were tested for their paternity using 21 RAPD markers of which thirteen primers revealed that 7 hybrids out of 15 hybrids have similar pattern as their parent.