Genetic divergence in rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush) strains under sub-tropical conditions of Punjab

in this study, qualitative and quantitative characters were evaluated in 17 rough lemon strains. Leaf lamina length was recorded to be maximum in strain Australian (87.0 mm) and minimum in strain Katazamir (62.8 mm). Leaf lamina width ranged from 29.0 to 45.3 mm, spine length from 8.2 to 33.5 mm and leaf chlorophyll ranged from 49.1 to 62.7. Flowering started earliest in chase (February 15^th) and last in Florida (March 26^th). Number of stamens per flower ranged from 15.6 to 26.3 in different strains. Maximum fruit weight (385.1 g) and TSS (9.0 ˚Brix) were recorded in Brazilian and minimum was recorded in Nagpur (81.6 g). Average seed number per fruit varied from 10.4 in Nagpur to 35.5 in 58-III-IV. Number of stamens per flower ranged from 15.6 to 26.3 and pollen viability ranged from 44.9% in Australian to 85.7% in Nagpur. Various strains performed differently for various quantitative characters. therefore, cultivars with superior traits can be utilised in hybridization to transfer desirable traits into a single cultivar.