Evaluation of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of some Walnut Genotypes in Kermanshah Province

Iran is known as one of the main centers of diversity and cultivation of walnut in the world. This diversity can be considered in breeding programs. In a walnut breeding program, identification and selection of superior genotypes is an important task. This research was conducted to identify superior genotypes within the walnut populations grown in some parts of Kermanshah province during 2013-2015. Some phenological and pomological traits of 59 walnut genotypes were evaluated according to UPOV and IBPGR descriptors. Based on the obtained results, the average nut weight, kernel weight and kernel percentage were 9.31-22.35g, 4.34-11.20g and 36.91-68.29%, respectively. The highest kernel percentage (68.28) belonged to genotype Kh86. Genotype Kh65 had the highest nut weight (22.35g) and kernel weight (11.20g). Genotype Kh110 with 25 days delay in leafing in compare to the reference standard, was considered as a late leafing genotype. Genotypes Ks33 and Kh128 showed the highest percentage of homogamy (100%). The 59 studied genotypes were classified in to five clusters by cluster analysis. Finally, genotypes Kh153, Kh150, Kh149, Kh146, Kh134, Kh128, Kh127, Kh110, Kh88, Kh87, Kh86, Kh70, Kh69 Kh65, Ks42, Ks39, Ks35 and Ks29, that had better characteristics of nut and kernel, were recognized as promising genotypes.