Characterization of Inter‐Varietal Hybrid Progenies of Guava Using Morphological and Molecular Traits

The improvement of guava ( Psidium guajava L.) is constrained by a narrow genetic base and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, necessitating the development and evaluation of diverse hybrid populations. This study aimed to characterize inter‐varietal F ₁ hybrid progenies of guava using integrated morphological and molecular techniques to assess genetic variability and confirm hybridity. We evaluated seventy 1‐year‐old F ₁ hybrids derived from crosses between four red‐pulped genotypes (Jarvi Red, Sanjari, Yogi and Exotica) and one white‐pulped genotype (VNR Bihi), along with their parental lines, under field conditions. We recorded 18 quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics based on criteria of distinctness, homogeneity and stability (DUS). Cluster analysis was employed to examine genetic associations. Significant variability was observed among hybrids for all quantitative metrics, indicating effective recombination of paternal alleles. The application of simple sequence repeat markers for molecular characterization demonstrated moderate to high polymorphism. Fourteen polymorphic markers produced 40 alleles. The co‐dominant SSR markers were highly reproducible and strongly supported the hybridity of F ₁ progenies by detecting alleles from both parental origins. The morphological and molecular analyses of these novel varietal combinations collectively indicated that the hybrid population exhibited considerable genetic diversity and identified many progenies that may be advantageous for breeding purposes. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating morphological descriptors with molecular markers to define guava genetic resources and identify suitable material for future breeding projects.