Genetic variability of quince (Cydonia oblonga) in Kashmir valley

A variability study was conducted during 2002-04, 15 quince genotypes from various parts of the Valley were collected. Analysis of variance for ten different characters, viz fruit weight, polar length, fruit diameter, seed content, pulp weight, TSS, acidity, total sugar, reducing sugars and peel weight were highly significant. Highest fruit weight (340 g), fruit diameter (9.1 cm), pulp yield and total sugars with minimum seed content were recorded in 'SKQ 6'. High heritability, genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain were significantly higher for characters like acidity, pulp weight, fruit weight, TSS, total sugars, reducing sugar and polar length; hence, these traits may effectively be used as selection criteria for screening potential genotypes in improvement programme.