Preliminary Evaluation of Pomological Characteristics of 29 Selected Apricot Genotypes in Karaj Climate Conditions

Due to the high genetic diversity in the apricot population of Iran, the first step in cultivar breeding is the pomological evaluation of this population and the identification of superior genotypes. Therefore, in order to identify superior apricot genotypes in the Karaj climate, the quantitative and qualitative traits of 29 apricot genotypes were evaluated based on the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during two consecutive years (2016-2017). The results showed a high genetic diversity in the studied apricot population in terms of morphological and pomological characteristics. The highest fruit weight was recorded in the Shahroud -43 (51.57 g) and Shahroud -50 (50.85 g), while the lowest fruit weight was recorded in the Shahroud -42 (15.77 g) and Shahroud -48a (13.90 g) genotypes, respectively. The genotypes Shahroud -50, Shahroud -32, Shahroudi, and Shahroud -15 showed the longest fruit length. In addition, the highest amount of total soluble solids was measured in the Shahroud -13, Nasiri and Ghorban-Maraghe genotypes. Both Moorpark and Shams cultivars also had the highest pH of fruit juice. Based on the obtained results Shahroud -39, Shahroud -50, Shahroud -58, Shahroud -49 and Shahroudi cultivar and genotypes were introduced as suitable genotypes for use as fresh fruits. Also, Shahroud -13, Nasiri, Ghorban-Maraghe, Shahroud -48, Shahroud -37 and Shahroud -43 are suitable genotypes and cultivars for both fruit processing and fresh fruits, due to high sugar content and other desirable characteristics.