Morpho-qualitative characterization of indigenous Aegle marmelos Correa genotypes existing in-situ in Raipur region of Chhattisgarh

The present investigation was undertaken during 2024-25 and 2025-26 to characterize forty-nine indigenous bael (Aegle marmelos Correa) genotypes (RB-1 to RB-48 and Goma Yashi as check variety) existing in-situ in four blocks (Abhanpur, Arang, Dharsiwa, Tilda) of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh for tree morphological traits. The experiment was conducted at MGUVV Durg Chhattisgarh following minimal descriptors developed by ICAR-CIAH and NBPGR. Significant variability was recorded for all tree characters. Growth habit was divided into four groups viz. drooping, spreading, semi-spreading and upright. Out of 49 genotypes, 27 genotypes (55.10%) had spreading, 12 (24.49%) upright, 5 (10.20%) semi-spreading (RB-1, RB-2, RB-12, RB-43 and Goma Yashi) and 5 (10.20%) drooping (RB-10, RB-11, RB-32, RB-38 and RB-42). Trunk colour was divided into five groups viz. Grey, Greyish Yellow, Yellowish Green, Yellow and Greyish. Grey dominated with 61.22% (30 genotypes), followed by Greyish Yellow 16.32% (Sarker et al., 2015). Bark splitting pattern was divided into three groups viz. Irregular, Rectangular and Cylindric. Irregular dominated with 85.71% (42 genotypes), Rectangular 10.20% (5 genotypes: RB-2, RB-12, RB-18, RB-35, RB-36) and Cylindric 4.08% (2 genotypes: RB-9 and RB-10). Thorniness at basal portion of primary branches was divided into Thorny and Thornless. Thorny was found in 71.42% (35 genotypes) and Thornless in 28.57% (14 genotypes: RB-10, RB-25, RB-27, RB-29, RB-30, RB-31, RB-33, RB-34, RB-35, RB-36, RB-40, RB-41, RB-45 and Goma Yashi) Foliage habit was divided into Sparse and Dense. Sparse was observed in 61.22% (30 genotypes) and Dense in 38.77% (19 genotypes) The wide variability is attributed to seedling origin, age, edaphic and environmental factors offering scope for selection of elite thornless types like RB-10 and Goma Yashi for commercial cultivation.