Study of wild and commercial pomegranates genotypes from the North of Iran using morphological traits

To evaluate the diversity of wild pomegranate (Punica grantum L.) genotypes and some commercial genotypes to use in future breeding programs and natural germplasm conservation, 49 pomegranate genotypes were assessed by morphological traits. In this study 26 qualitative and quantitative traits of fruits and leaves were evaluated. Simple correlation results, showed positive and negative significant correlations among the traits. Between the 36 wild genotypes, the studied quantitative and qualitative traits were also significant. Factor analysis was used to determine the number of main factors discrimining the genotypes and the characteristics forming the factors. Factor analysis with five main factors justified 79.03 percent of total variation for the affecting traits. Cluster analysis divided pomegranates into two main groups. The first group was included commercial and wild genotypes with sweet flavor and the second group included wild and commercial genotypes with sour-sweet and sour taste. Wild genotypes from the eastern region compared to the genotypes from the western part had more desired characteristics and were superior. Wild genotypes Gogdareh42, Sultan Ali37, Anarmarz30 compared to other genotypes were superior for traits of sugar, acid, flavor and fruit weight. Plot analysis separated the wild Fereidoonkenar29 with sour-sweet flavor and high weight from the other genotypes. Besides to commercial genotypes, wild genotypes also had desired traits, so pomegranate of their extinction and use them for pomegranate improvement and establishment of collections from these genotypes for their preservation provide a basic step for the future of this fruit.