Evaluation of genetic diversity of some native hazelnut accessions based on morphological traits in Ahar zone

Hazelnut is one of the most important and economical nut fruits. Evaluation of genetic diversity is necessary for selection of superior genotypes and using them in breeding programs. In this study, genotype diversity of 28 selected from the Fandoglu region of Ahar were evaluated by using 34 qualitative and 22 quantitative traits,. Results showed that some traits had high coefficient of variation, such as total chlorophyll, catkin length, husk weight, shell weight and 100 fruit weight. There was a significant difference between correlation coefficient of some measured traits like leaf, fruit size and weight and kernel weight. Cluster analysis and dendrogram with genetic distance of 4-25, divided all genotypes in two main groups. The factor analysis reduced the assessed traits into six main factors and justifying 85.65 percent of total variation. Fruits of the genotypes divided to three forms, round, spindle and flattened, that most of the them had round fruits. Fruit ripenning ranged from first of August to the first of September and there was a significat difference among genotypes. All of the genotypes were protanderous. Male flower opening and beganing of pollination occurred from first to late of february and stigma were shown from late of february to Middle of March. Resultes showed that there was a considerable variation in all traits, but fruit weight and size had a great important role in identification of genotypes. This studies showed that morphlogical traites can be a powerful tool for identification and evaluation of hazelnut genotypes.