全球变化知识资源中心

Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) is called king of arid fruits and is an ideal choice for food security and global climate changing scenario. Data regarding its diversity is completely missing in Pakistan. This study explores the genetic diversity in 60 ber accessions selected from different agro ecological zones of Pakistan. Results revealed significant differences among all noted characters. The measured quantitative traits like leaf length ranged from 1.8 to 9.1 cm, leaf width varied from 1.4 to 6.6 cm, fruit weight lies from 1.88 to 38.45 g, seed weight varied between 0.32-1.84 g, fruit firmness ranges from 0.16 to 1.78 kg, TSS dispersed between 5.9 to 22.96%, while vitamin-C contents lies between 60.69-165.5 mg/100 g. Vast morphological differences were also recorded for qualitative traits like tree shape, branching habit, leaf shape, leaf margins, leaf veins, fruit shape, fruit apex, fruit base, stone shape and for stone apex. Many of these traits are economically very important and can be helpful to boost fruit yield and quality. Strong positive correlations were detected between leaf, fruit and stone characters. The PCA plot showed high phenotypic diversity and indicated that measured traits can be useful for developing ber plant descriptor and improving taxonomy. Dendrogram generated from agglomeration hierarchical clustering (AHC) successfully grouped wild and domesticated accessions into 3 different clusters. Finally findings of present studies are promising for managing genetic resources, in cultivar improvement and for successful breeding programmes.