Evaluation of Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics and Distincness of some Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) Genotypes from Different Regions of Iran

Identification and distinctness of quince cultivars and genotypes is more difficult than other pomoideae subfamily. This research was aimed at studying the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of endogenous quince germplasm for selection of key traits useful for distinctness and differentiation of genotypes. Thirty quince genotypes from Isfahan، Khorasan and Guilan provinces collected in central quince collection of Iran were evaluated from 2010 to 2012، based on UPOV descriptor. Totally 38 characteristics of descriptor were evaluated together with other 5 complementary characteristics of trunk cross-section area، seeds، fruits and time of leaf fall. The results demonstrated notable variation of characteristics in all tree parts، but also revealed necessity of several distinctive characteristics for identification of genotypes. Among these characteristics، fruit size and form، size of fruit eye، leaf shape and blooming time were more distinctive، all were in accordance with asterisked characteristics of UPOV descriptor. Based on this، leaf form and undulation، fruit size، neck form and length were fundamental distinctive characteristics. Additionally، valuable characteristics for quince breeding including spreading growth habit linked to the high productivity of trees، were found in some genotypes. Most superior genotypes demonstrating high fruit and tree values were in Isfahan germplasm، while Khorasan germplasm were in lower level for use as commercial cultivars. The highest yield was observed in two superior genotypes KVD1 and KVD2، respectively. It was concluded that endogenous promising new quince cultivars could be released from germplasm of Isfahan.