Evaluation of Exotic Mandarin Germplasm under Mid-Hills of Sikkim Himalayan Region

Eight exotic mandarin germplasm were evaluated on the basis of physico-chemical properties of fruit at ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, during 2009 and 2010. Cultivar ‘Dancy’ had the longest fruit development period and maximum oil gland density, whereas, Thorny showed precocity in fruit development. Except ‘Page’, all mandarin germplasm had loosely adhered flavido which is the desired character for table type variety. ‘Kinnow’ and ‘King’ mandarins have relatively bigger and heavier fruit, whereas, ‘Page’ has the smallest and ‘Fortune’ has medium size fruit. Except ‘Fortune’, other cultivars could not develop deep orange colour in their fruit. Fortune had maximum juice content (51.3%), TSS (10.4° Brix), TSS/acid ratio (11.07), sugar content (7.86%) and sugar/acid ratio (8.45). It also had intermediate number of seeds/fruit (10.2). Whereas, ‘Dancy’ has the minimum juice content (42.6%), TSS (8.2° Brix), TSS/acid ratio (5.77), sugar/acid ratio (4.45%) and seeds/fruit (7.3). Physico-chemical properties of mandarin germplasm clearly indicated that ‘Fortune’ mandarin possesses desired qualities for table type cultivar and hence deserves adoption after further field evaluation trial.