Analysis of Pomological and Chemical Attributes of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Genotypes Selected from Khalkhal Region

The experiment was carried out to study pomochemical properties of twenty superior genotypes of apricot
(Prunusarmeniaca L) during two consecutive growing seasons (2013-2014) in the Khalkhal valley, south of Ardabil province (Iran). Physical parameters (weight, flesh, skin and color) and chemical parameters (total soluble solids content and acidity) were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis Ward Method. The results indicated a high variability in the set of the evaluated apricot genotypes based on bud break season, fruit and pit weight, harvest season, fruit yield, total soluble solids (TSS), and total acidity. Most of the genotypes had a relatively small fruit size; only four had a fruit weight >39 g. In general, fruits had yellowish skin ground color and cream flesh color. There was a high correlation between fruit and pit weight(r = 0.575), but fruit weight was not correlated with TSS content and acidity. There was a high negative correlation between the TSS and total acidity (r = -0.954). Bud break season was highly correlated with harvest season (r = 0.857). The results indicated the presence of great genetic variability among local genotypes, and there was promising genotypes with appropriate pomological and phenological characteristics. Genotypes such as BG2, KG1, SG6 and EG1 deserve to be exploited for the future apricot conservation and breeding programs.