Evaluation of some Characteristics of Native Red-Fleshed Apple Genotypes of Iran

Recently، red-fleshed apple genotypes have been widely studied due to their high antioxidant level and good marketing traits. In the present study، six red-fleshed apple genotypes planted in Kamalshar Research Station، Karaj، Iran and three genotypes collected from Shahrood were studied for morphological، phenological، pomological، physicochemical traits and organoleptic characteristics during 2010 and 2011. Based on the results، genotype GH-R had the highest and H-GH3 the lowest tree height (425 and 305 cm، respectively). The highest trunk and scaffold cross areas were also observed in these genotypes. Regarding phenological traits، the longest flowering period (20-22 days) was observed in genotypes B-R and GH-R. Genotype T3 had the highest flower diameter (4. 9 cm). The highest fruit weight، length and diameter was observed in genotype SH-10 (89. 06 g، 5. 33 cm and 6. 18 cm، respectively) and the lowest in B3 (19. 49 g، 3. 12 cm and 2. 60 cm، respectively). The highest fruit firmness was detected in genotype B3 (6. 22 kgcm-2) and the lowest in H-GH (3. 11 kgcm-2). Except SH-10 which had conical fruits، other genotypes had spherical fruits. At ripening stage، genotypes B3، B-R and GH-R had dark red flesh، while in other genotypes، flesh color was pink or red observed only around carpel. Genotypes B-R and GH-R had favorable taste and acceptability، therefore could be used as table fruit or for processing.