HORMA - 302
Breeding of Fruit Crops
Breeding of Fruit Crops
UNIT I: Mango, Banana, and Pineapple
1. MANGO (Mangifera indica L.)
1. Origin, Distribution & Taxonomical Status
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Origin: Indo-Burma region (Allopolyploid origin).
- Distribution: India is the largest producer. Others: China, Thailand, Mexico, Pakistan.
- Taxonomy: Genus Mangifera has 69 species.
M. indica: Only edible species widely cultivated.
Allied Species: M. odorata (Kuini), M. caesia (Binjai), M. foetida (Horse mango). - Classification:
Monoembryonic: Mostly North Indian, sexual origin.
Polyembryonic: South Indian/coastal, nucellar origin, true-to-type.
2. Cytogenetics & Genetic Resources
- Chromosome Number: 2n = 4x = 40 (Amphidiploid).
- Genetics: Cultivars are heterozygotes. High sterility due to cytological abnormalities.
- Genetic Resources: India has the richest germplasm.
- Gene Banks: CISH (Lucknow), IIHR (Bengaluru), IARI (New Delhi).
3. Blossom Biology & Breeding Systems
- Inflorescence: Terminal panicle (1,000 to 6,000 flowers).
- Flower Types: Polygamous (Hermaphrodite + Staminate flowers). Perfect flowers: ~69.8% in Langra, lowest in Rataul.
- Anthesis: Early morning (4 AM – 10 AM).
- Stigma Receptivity: 72 hours (max on day of anthesis).
- Pollination: Cross-pollinated (Entomophilous - Housefly).
- Incompatibility: Self-incompatibility in Dashehari, Langra, Chausa.
4. Breeding Objectives & Ideotypes
Ideotype: Dwarf stature, regular bearer, precocious, good fruit size (250-300g), high pulp content, fibreless, and resistant to pests.
- Dwarfism: For high-density planting (Height < 3m).
- Regular Bearing: Overcoming alternate bearing (precocity).
- Fruit Quality: High pulp:stone ratio, red blush, aroma, no turpentine flavor.
- Resistance: Malformation, Anthracnose, Powdery mildew, Fruit fly, Stone weevil, Spongy tissue, Salinity.
5. Breeding Approaches & Methods
A. Introduction
Direct introduction has limited success. Examples: Haden, Tommy Atkins, Sensation (USA) - used as parents for color.
B. Selection (Chance Seedlings)
Most commercial varieties are superior chance seedlings (e.g., Dashehari, Langra, Alphonso). Clonal Selection: Dashehari-51 (Regular bearer).
C. Hybridization
Most common method. 0.1% success rate due to fruit drop. Caging panicles recommended.
D. Mutation Breeding
Limited success. Rosica (mutant of 'Rosour').
E. Polyploidy Breeding
Vellai Columban (2n=80) is a tetraploid dwarfing rootstock.
F. Rootstock Breeding
- Salt Tolerant: Kurukkan, Nekkare.
- Dwarfing: Vellaikolumban, Olour.
6. Achievements (Important Hybrids)
| Institute | Hybrid | Parentage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARI (New Delhi) |
Mallika | Neelum x Dashehari | High quality, regular bearer. |
| Amrapali | Dashehari x Neelum | Dwarf, high density (2.5 x 2.5m), high β-carotene. | |
| Pusa Arunima | Amrapali x Sensation | Red skin colour. | |
| IIHR (Bengaluru) |
Arka Aruna | Banganapalli x Alphonso | Large fruit, spongy tissue free. |
| Arka Puneet | Alphonso x Banganapalli | Spongy tissue free, good quality. | |
| Arka Anmol | Alphonso x Janardhan Pasand | Excellent keeping quality. | |
| RFRS (Vengurla) |
Ratna | Neelum x Alphonso | Spongy tissue free. |
| Sindhu | Ratna x Alphonso | Seedless (stenospermocarpic), paper-thin stone. | |
| CISH (Lucknow) |
Ambika | Amrapali x Janardhan Pasand | Regular bearer, red blush. |
7. Biotechnological Interventions & Future Thrust
- Markers: RAPD/SSR for diversity & true-to-type nucellar identification.
- Embryo Rescue: To save hybrids from early drop.
- Future: MAS for regular bearing, resistance to malformation, export quality (red peel).
2. BANANA (Musa spp.)
1. Origin, Distribution & Taxonomical Status
- Family: Musaceae
- Origin: South East Asia (Assam-Burma-Thailand complex).
- Taxonomy: Modern classification by Simmonds and Shepherd (1955) based on genome scoring of ancestors:
Musa acuminata (A genome) and Musa balbisiana (B genome). - Genomic Groups:
AA (Diploids): Matti.
AAA (Triploids): Cavendish, Robusta (Dessert).
AAB (Triploids): Poovan, Rasthali.
ABB (Triploids): Monthan (Cooking).
2. Cytogenetics
Basic Chromosome Number: x = 11.
- Diploids (2n=22): Smaller fruits.
- Triploids (3n=33): Commercial varieties (vigorous, seedless).
- Tetraploids (4n=44): Bred for disease resistance.
3. Blossom Biology & Breeding Systems
- Inflorescence: Spadix (terminal spike) with spathes.
- Parthenocarpy: Vegetative parthenocarpy is the rule.
- Sterility: High female and male sterility.
- Propagation: Vegetative (Edible types).
4. Breeding Objectives & Ideotypes
Ideotype: Short stature (wind resistance), short crop duration, high harvest index, resistance to Sigatoka.
- Disease Resistance: Panama Wilt (Fusarium), Sigatoka Leaf Spot, Bunchy Top (BBTV).
- Pest Resistance: Nematodes, Stem weevil.
5. Breeding Approaches
A. Hybridization
Cross seed-fertile diploid (AA) x Triploid (AAA/AAB) → Tetraploid (4n).
Secondary Triploids: 4n x 2n → Resistant 3n.
B. Mutation Breeding
Very successful (Bud sports).
Examples: Highgate (from Gros Michel), Grand Naine (from Giant Cavendish), Mot Poovan.
6. Achievements
| Source | Variety/Hybrid | Features |
|---|---|---|
| FHIA (Honduras) |
Goldfinger (FHIA-01) | (AAAB). Apple flavored, resistant to Sigatoka/Panama wilt. |
| TNAU (India) |
CO-1 | (AAB). Hill banana type, suitable for plains. |
| KAU (Kerala) |
BRS-1 | Agniswar x Pisang Lilin. |
7. Future Thrust
Transgenics for BBTV resistance, Biofortification (Iron, Vitamin A), Drought tolerance.
3. PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus)
1. Origin, Distribution & Taxonomical Status
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: South America (Brazil, Paraguay).
- Major Groups:
Cayenne: Cylindrical, yellow flesh (Kew). Best for canning.
Queen: Conical, deep eyes, golden yellow (Queen). Best for table.
Spanish: White flesh, resistant.
2. Cytogenetics & Blossom Biology
- Chromosomes: 2n = 50. Triploids (3n=75) exist.
- Inflorescence: Sorosis (Composite fruit).
- Self-Incompatibility: Present (Desirable to prevent seeds).
- Pollination: Hummingbirds (Americas). Hand pollination for breeding.
3. Breeding Objectives
High TSS (>16° Brix), low acidity, rectangular shape, spineless leaves, resistant to Heart rot and physiological disorders.
4. Breeding Approaches
- Hybridization: Kew x Queen crosses to combine vigor and quality.
- Mutation: Somatic mutants for spinelessness.
- Biotechnology: Genetic engineering for delaying ripening.
5. Achievements
| Institute | Variety | Parentage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAU | Amritha | Kew x Ripley Queen | First Indian hybrid. Spiny, cylindrical, superior quality. |
| IIHR | MD-2 | (Introduction) | Gold standard globally. Low acidity, high Vit C. |
📚 References & Sources
Bose T.K., Mitra S.K. & Sanyol D. (2002). Fruits of India – Tropical and Sub-tropical. Naya Udyog.
Janick J. & Moore J.N. (1996). Fruit Breeding. Vol I. John Wiley & Sons.
Chadha K.L. (2001). Handbook of Horticulture. ICAR.
Nijjar G.S. (1977). Fruit Breeding in India. Oxford & IBH.
Radha T. & Mathew L. (2007). Fruit Crops. New India Publ. Agency.