Uncovering Key Traits for Breeding High-Yield and Nutrient-Rich Genotypes of Wood Apple ( Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle)

Wood apple (Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle) is fast-growing and salt-tolerant. This plant can thrive in degraded soil conditions and is drought-resilient. Wood apple fruits are known for their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, being an underutilized fruit crop, there is a lack of information on plant genetic resources and crop improvement with an aim to identify promising wood apple genotypes with the potential for commercial cultivation and as parents in genetic improvement program. Therefore, this study investigates the phenotypic diversity of 62 wood apple genotypes, examining key traits, such as tree height, stem diameter (SD), leaf characteristics, fruit physico-chemical attributes, and mineral content. The mean tree height across all genotypes was 7.38 m, with substantial variation observed, ranging from 5.47 m (WAS-47) to 9.47 m (WAS-62) (F = 43.11, p < .0001). Similarly, significant variation was recorded in SD (F = 1141.70, p < .0001), leaf size, and plant spread. The mean fruit weight was 256.35 g, with genotypes like WAS-4, WAS-6, and WAS-44 showing the highest fruit weights, suggesting strong potential for yield improvement (F = 260.16, p < .0001). Significant phenotypic variation in pulp weight, juice content, and mineral composition was noted, with WAS-6 and WAS-2 demonstrating the highest pulp percentages and juice content. Further analysis revealed considerable differences in TSS (mean = 22.61°Brix), acidity (mean = 4.11%), ascorbic acid (mean = 25.49 mg/100 g), and minerals like potassium, calcium, and iron, indicating variability for targeted selection in breeding programs. Positive correlations between fruit dimensions and yield components were observed, while negative correlations highlighted trade-offs in quality traits. Principal component analysis, clustering, and network analysis confirmed the existence of five distinct genotypic groups. High-performing genotypes like WAS-4 and WAS-6 showed promise for breeding programs to improve productivity, nutritional quality, and genetic resilience. The study highlights significant genetic diversity in wood apple genotypes, indicating strong potential for selection and breeding to enhance fruit yield, quality, and nutritional content. This study provides a foundation for breeding wood apple cultivars with improved traits for future use, aiding in agricultural productivity and consumer market appeal.