Evaluation of Fruit Characteristics and Oil Percentage of Some Superior Walnut Genotypes in Kohgilouye and BoyerAhmed Province

The purpose of this research was to identify and select superior walnut genotypes based on pomological characteristics, oil percentage and calcium content of walnut kernels in different walnut growing areas of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. In this research, 14 top walnut genotypes in different regions of the province were evaluated. The results showed that different genotypes have significant differences in terms of pomological traits. Among the 14 evaluated genotypes, the highest average walnut fruit is related to Kowkhdan 1 and Delirej1 genotypes with an average of 76.76 and 73.39 g respectively, the highest nut weight is in Kowkhdan 1 genotypes and Setangan 1 and 2 were obtained with an average of 30.26, 28.17 and 27.13 g, respectively. The highest kernel weight was observed in Kowkhdan 1 genotype at the rate of 13.58 g compared to other genotypes. Kowkhdan 1 genotype showed the highest length and diameter of kernel by 36.04 and 36.12 mm, respectively, compared to other genotypes. The kernel % varied from 48.61 to 34.45% in different genotypes. Kowkhdan 1, Delirej 1, Vezag 2, Shahniz, and Kowkhdan 2 genotypes have the highest kernel %, 48.61, 48.45, 47, 45.44, and 45.41 %, respectively, compared to other genotypes. The highest oil % was 63.69% in Vezg 1 genotype and the lowest % oil was 36.71% in Delirej 2 genotype. The ratio of phosphorus to calcium is an important indicator in the quality of walnut kernels. This ratio varied from 0.263 to 0.064, and among the evaluated genotypes, the highest and lowest P/Ca of kernels was observed in Setengan 1 and 2, Shahniz 1 and Delirej 2 genotypes, respectively. Therefore, among the evaluated genotypes, in terms of pomological and nutritional value characteristics, Kowkhdan 1, Setengan 1, 2, Sisakhatt 2 and Vezg 1 genotypes were selected as the best genotypes and these genotypes were recommended in breeding programs.