Morpho-pomological and biochemical characterization of bael cultivars for yield and quality improvement

Abstract Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa), an underutilized fruit crop of high nutritional and medicinal value, exhibits wide adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions but remains neglected in systematic improvement and commercial utilization. The present investigation was undertaken from 2019 to 2023 at CCSHAU, RRS, Bawal, Haryana, to evaluate eight cultivars (NB-5, NB-9, NB-16, NB-17, Pant Aparna, Pant Sujata, CISH-B1 and CISH-B2) for morpho-pomological, yield, and biochemical traits. Pooled data (2019 to 2023) reveals that significant genotypic variability was observed for growth, fruit morphology, and quality parameters. NB-17 exhibited significant maximum plant height (7.2 m), trunk girth (88.3 cm), and high TSS (38.17 °Brix), while Pant Sujata recorded the heaviest fruits (2104 g) with maximum dimensions but lowest yield (41 kg/plant). NB-9 demonstrated superior yield (62 kg/plant) and the highest TSS: acid ratio (122.34) suggesting excellent consumer acceptability. NB-5 showed significant pulp recovery (74.21%) and total sugars (30.65%), whereas Pant Aparna had the highest ascorbic acid content (12.83 mg/100 g). PCA revealed that PC1 (40%) was associated with fruit size and pulp traits, while PC2 (19.7%) corresponded to biochemical attributes, explaining 59.7% of total variance. Pant Sujata and NB-17 clustered as large-fruited types suited for processing, while NB-9 and NB-5 emerged as high-yielding and pulp-rich cultivars. The findings emphasize the availability of wide genetic variability in bael, providing opportunities for selection and breeding of superior genotypes. Such targeted improvement is crucial for enhancing commercial utilization and conservation of this near-threatened fruit under semi-arid conditions.