Leaf quality assessment of sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) genotypes through morphology and physiochemical traits
January 30, 2026
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| Article Title: | Leaf quality assessment of sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) genotypes through morphology and physiochemical traits |
| Authors: | Hasan M.M., Hossain M.M., Pakhom M.N.J., Tusar M.R.S. |
| Affiliation: | Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Habiganj Agricultural University, Habiganj-3300, Bangladesh Faculty of Agriculture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh |
| Abstract: | The sugar apple is a traditionally valued but underutilized fruit and medicinal crop in Bangladesh. This study assessed leaf quality attributes of sugar apple genotypes through morpho-biochemical characterization. This experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Three genotypes, namely ACC AS1, ACC AS2, and ACC AS3, were utilized as planting materials. ACC AS2 exhibited superior leaf morphology, including length, breadth, area, and petiole length. ACC AS1 showed the highest internodal length, leaf moisture, and sodium content. ACC AS3 excelled in physiochemical traits, exhibiting higher SPAD values, leaf dry matter, ascorbic acid, protein content, and mineral concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Correlation and regression analyses revealed a strong positive relationship (r > 0.8, p < 0.05) between leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area. Additionally, leaf area was positively associated with SPAD values and leaf dry matter content. Regression analysis revealed strong positive relationships among leaf length, width, and area, with leaf area also positively associated with SPAD values and dry matter content. Ascorbic acid decreased significantly with increasing leaf pH, while sodium and potassium showed a negative relationship. Iron and zinc concentrations were positively associated, suggesting a coordinated accumulation of these minerals in sugar apple leaves. In principal component analysis (PCA), the first two components captured nearly all variance (99.99%), with PC1 and PC2 contributing 86.34% and 13.66%, respectively. PC1 captured key biochemical and nutritional traits, with ACC AS3 exhibiting higher values, reflecting superior physiochemical performance. |
| Keywords: | Annona squamosa, leaf quality, minerals, physiochemical, correlation, regression and PCA. |
| *Correspondence: | Md. Mokter Hossain, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, email: mokter.agr@bau.edu.bd |
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