Variability study in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Kesar

In Gujarat more than 1.30 lakh ha area is under cultivation of mango with a large range of cultivars. Among them, Kesar is being famous and favorite variety of people because of its distinctive flavor, taste and aroma. Mango growing districts in Gujarat are Valsad, followed by Surat, Junagadh, Kheda, Kutch, Amreli, Porbandar, Bharuch, Sabar-kantha Bhavnagar and Gir-Somnath (Indian Horticulture Database- 2012). Kesar is the most popular cultivar grown around Gujarat state. Kesar is characterized by its golden color with green overtones. The fruit is slightly smaller compared to the Alphanso variety. The fruits are medium to large sized (250-325 g per fruit), oblong in shape with an attractive light apricot-yellow color. The taste is very good and sugar/acid blend is excellent. The cultivar is free from spongy tissue disorder and malformation. Tree bears excellent quality fruits with saffron coloured pulp when ripe and delicious. Excellent for table purpose fruits, medium sized with fiber-less stone. The "Kesar fruit has 18 to 22 percent T.S.S., 0.25 to o.29 per cent acidity and 10.5 to 12.0 per cent total sugars with storability of 15 to 20 days. (Singh, 1960).