Evaluation of different varieties of Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) under hard lateritic rocky conditions of South konkan coastal zone of Maharashtra

Six varieties of aonla viz; NA-6, NA-7, NA-10, Krishna, Kanchan and Chakayya were evaluated for their yield and quality at Mango Research Sub-Centre, Rameshwar, Tal. Deogad, Dist. Sindhudrg, Maharashtra state in nine years old aonla plantation. The location is under south Konkan coastal agroclimatic zone having unique condition as hard lateritic rocky situation. In October harvest, significantly maximum fruit weight (41.00 g) was recorded by Kanchan variety and in May harvest, Krishna recorded highest fruit weight (38.65 g) while the mean fruit weight in both harvests was highest (39.78 g) in Krishna variety. The maximum yield (6.14 kg/tree and 1.70 t/ha in October harvest and 12.09 kg/tree and 3.35 t/ha in May harvest) was recorded by Kanchan variety. The annual (Cumulative) yield was also highest (18.23 kg/tree and 5.05 t/ha) in Kanchan variety followed by NA-10, NA-7 and Krishna. NA-6 variety recorded the highest T.S.S. (10.68°B and 12.50°B) and acidity (2.18% and 2.83%) in both harvests. The ascorbic acid content was maximum in NA-10 (426.5mg/100g and 434.8mg/100g) followed by Kanchan (388.4mg/100g and 396.1mg/100g) in both the harvest. However, minimum ascorbic acid content was recorded Krishna ((426.5mg/100g) in October harvest and 326.1mg/ 100g in NA-6 variety in May harvest.