Diversity in leaf morphology and physiological characteristics among mango (Mangifera indica) cultivars popular in different agro-climatic regions of India

• Variation in leaf morphological characters was observed among eight mango cultivars.
• Cvs. ‘Borsha’, ‘Himsagar’, ‘Langra’ and ‘Neelum’ recorded higher PN among eight cultivars.
• Maximum leaf epicuticular wax content was observed in ‘Totapuri’ and least in ‘Dashehari’.
• No direct relationship between PN and pigment concentrations was observed.

The present study was aimed to characterize eight different mango cultivars, viz., ‘Alphonso’, ‘Borsha’, ‘Himsagar’, ‘Fazli’, ‘Langra’, ‘Dashehari’, ‘Totapuri’ and ‘Neelum’ popularly grown in different agro-climatic regions in India. Significant differences in gas exchange and leaf morphological characters were observed among cultivars. Higher photosynthesis rate (PN) was recorded in ‘Borsha’, ‘Himsagar’, ‘Langra’ and ‘Neelum’. Across the cultivars PN and CE (carboxylation capacity) were highest in ‘Neelum’ followed by ‘Borsha’. ‘Langra recorded highest WUE and WUEi. The SLA and SLW were maximum in ‘Totapuri’ and ‘Dashehari’ respectively. Maximum epicuticular wax content (ECW) was observed in ‘Totapuri’. The content of Chl a, Chl b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids was highest in ‘Alphonso’. Adaxial and abaxial stomatal numbers were highest in ‘Totapuri’ and ‘Langra’, respectively. The variations in leaf morphology, gas exchange and related traits may be linked to genotypic variation suitable for different agro-climatic regions in India.