Abstract
Jamun (Syzygium cumini [L.] Skeels) is one of the most potential underutilized fruit crops. Here, phenotypic and pomological variability among 61 accessions of this species was investigated. Analysis of variance (p < .01) revealed significant differences among the accessions studied based on the traits recorded. Ripening date ranged from late June to mid-July. Fruit color was purple in 13, dark purple in 30, and black in 18 accessions. Fruit weight ranged from 2.12 to 8.95 g, and fruit flesh thickness varied from 1.25 to 6.78 mm. Principal component analysis showed that fruit-related characters are very important in differentiating among selections. The studied accessions were divided into two groups and several subgroups based on cluster analysis, which showed the phenotypic variations among them. Beside the significant differences among the accessions of different regions, significant variation was observed between the accessions of each region. The obtained results are useful for designing conservation strategies for the germplasm as well as implementing breeding programs, such as introducing cultivars with different goals, including early or late ripening and seedless, nonastringent, large, and deeper color-fruits. Based on the fruit quality attributes, such as fruit weight, color, and taste; eight accessions, including Pirdan-3, Soldan-1, Pirdan-6, Soldan-5, Nasirabad-3, Soldan-3, Nasirabad-8, and Ganjabad-11, were selected which can be cultivated directly in orchards or used as parents in breeding programs.