Vegetative and Reproductive Traits of some Iranian Local and Foreign Cultivars and Genotypes of Walnut (Juglans regia L.)

Thirty five morphological traits were evaluated in seven local walnut genotypes Jamal، Damavand، B21، K72، Z53، Z60، Z67 and eight foreign cultivars Chandler، Pedro، Hartley، Ronde de Montignac، Serr، Lara، Vina and Franquette in 2008 and 2009. Related to tree traits، a moderate variation in characters were observed، but there were higher variations in tree vigor and bearing habit. Leaf characteristics showed lower variation، while leafing time، showed very high variation so that there were 21 days difference between the earliest and latest cultivars. Pistillate flower receptivity and pollen shedding period order، could separate the genotypes. According to dichogamy، two genotypes were protogynous، one cultivar was homogamus tend to protogynous and the others were protandreous. Time of fruit ripening was also highly variable. There were 42 days difference between the earliest and latest cultivars. Fruit shapes in longitudinal section through and perpendicular suture had high potential to distinct genotypes. Fruit and kernel size، and kernel percent also showed high variation. In conclusion، cultivars Chandler، Pedro and Hartley showed to be superior based on leafing date، lateral fruitfulness and nut and kernel characteristics. Cultivars Ronde de Montignac and Franquette had good pollen shedding period for these three cultivars. Local cultivar Jamal had better performance and Damavand showed good pollen shedding period appropriate for it.