Identification and Description of Indigenous Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Cultivars of Coastal Districts in Andhra Pradesh, India by Morphological, Biochemical and Molecular Markers

Mango (Mangifera indica), one of the most significant tropical fruits, presents a remarkable diversity in its cultivars, each exhibiting unique morphological, biochemical and molecular properties.Characterization of mango cultivars has been successfully used for selection of improved cultivars for breeding programs.The study was conducted at Horticultural research station, Venkataramannagudem for evaluating the variability of mango cultivars to conserve the elite ones and to identify the superior genotypes based on fruit characters for future crop improvement.Thirty four mango cultivars were characterized using morphological, biochemical and molecular fruit characters to know the genetic diversity in mango.The morphological characteristics, including fruit shape, shape of fruit apex, depth of fruit stalk cavity, fruit sinus type, fruit skin surface texture, slope of fruit ventral shoulder, fruit beak type, skin color of ripe fruit, pulp color of ripe fruit, quantity of fiber in pulp, quantity of fiber on stone, veins on stone, pattern of stone venation and embryo shape were evaluated noting that these attributes significantly influence consumer appeal and marketability.The biochemical analysis focused on total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars, nonreducing sugars, ascorbic acid, carotene and total phenols were analyzed.Molecular characterization using RAPD and SSR primers were carried out and cultivar specific fragments were amplified.In response, the potential of breeding programmes and genetic modification efforts in developing improved traits were discussed.The future research directions were mapped, emphasizing the exploration of underutilized indigenous cultivars to broaden the genetic base of mango cultivars.