Abstract

Pepino (Solanum muricatum) is a small herbaceous perennial minor fruit cum vegetable crop with multiple possibilities for consumption. Special features include its high yield potential, casy propagation by stem cuttings, perennial nature, fast growing and high response to intensive cultivation and fertilizer application and above all the habit of flowering and fruit set round the year. As on date 9 promising accessions have been established based on plant and fruit morphology, yield performance and quality traits. These accessions also offered differing preference for different utilities such as dessert fruit, squash etc.

Keywords: Pepino, Solanum muricatum, Fruit morphology, Solanaceae, Minor fruit