Performance of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) genotypes under agro-ecological conditions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

Study was conducted to select the better genotypes of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) among those growing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. There is a great potential of loquat in the country, but it did not get the attention of the researchers in the past. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is rich in genotypes of loquat. At Takht Bhai (TB), an important loquat growing area of the province, 15 loquat genotypes were characterized and compared on the basis of various characteristics. Most of the genotypes had trees with semi upright habit, blunt acute leaf tips and obovoid shape of fruits. Majority of them had fruits with orange yellow skin, while colour of pulp in most of the genotypes was orange. Fruit weight ranged from 11.04 g in TB2 to 47.84 g in TB15. Lowest number of seeds per fruit was observed in TB6 (3.32), while highest in TB15 (5.13). Yield per plant was highest in TB7 (89.85 kg), whereas lowest in TB15 (25.85 kg). Preservation, propagation and commercial plantation of better genotypes identified through this study can play a significant role in improving loquat production as well as income of the farming community. These genotypes may also be utilized in future breeding programs of loquat.