Evaluation of Selected Quince Genotypes (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) for Physico-chemical Attributes under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir Valley

The Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is the only member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae. It is mostly used for culinary purposes and has great potential in processing industry. Quince genotype collections are maintained in quince block at ICAR-CITH, Srinagar. Physicochemical attributes play an important role in determining the nature and behavior of the fruit and their response to handling and processing. The present study was conducted during 2017-18, to evaluate ten genotypes of quince for physicochemical attributes both quantitatively and qualitatively. Our results confirmed the variability exists in, size, quality parameters like TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, sugars and pectin. The significant differences were observed between the genotypes among different analyzed parameters. From our study, the genotypes CITH-Q-6 and CITH-Q-7, CITH-Q-11 and CITH-Q-20 were found better in respect of various physicochemical parameters evaluated. The study will help in identifying the superior genotypes for processing and other uses in future.