Promising hybrids and open-pollinated seedling selections in mango (Mangifera indica L.) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

Mango improvement work by breeding initiated at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1961 has yielded many varieties which have been released by the institute as well as Govt. of NCT of Delhi for commercial cultivation in North India. The present paper deals with some of other promising hybrids and open-pollinated seedling tree selections of cv. Amrapali developed at this institute. Based on desirable quality of fruits, regularty in bearing, semi-vigorous tree growth, long shelf-life of fruit, medium fruit weight and export potential, thirteen promising hybrids and four promising open-pollinated seedling trees of cv. Amrapali were earmarked for further evaluation before their recommendation in future for commercial cultivation. Those six promising hybrids released as varieties by the institute as well as Govt. of NCT of Delhi for commercial cultivation have also potential to be released by the Central Variety Release Committee of Govt of India for upgrading their cultivation at the national level. Such varieties include Pusa Arunima, Pusa Surya, Pusa Pratibha, Pusa Shreshth, Pusa Peetamber, Pusa Lalima and Pusa Manohari. Pusa Surya is a popular name for exotic cv. Eldon. This was released on the basis of its excellent performance for its cultivation in India. Hybrids found promising after evaluation in the present study namely, H-4-7 (Amrapali x Lal Sundari), H-7-3 (Amrapali x Sensation), H-7-11 (Amrapali x Lal Sundari), H-13-2 (Amrapali x Sensation), H-13-5 (Amrapali x Sensation), H-13-7 (Amrapali x Sensation) and H-13-8 (Amrapali x Sensation) should be evaluated further to confirm their worth for release as varieties. Open-pollinated seedling trees of mango cv. Amrapali earmarked as promising ones in the present study on the basis of initial evaluation included Asd-1-7, Asd-1-18, AOPS-15-5 and AOPS-16-25. These promising open-pollinated seedling trees of cv. Amrapali as well need further evaluation to establish their utility as variety(ies) in future.