ABSTRACT
Jamun (Syzygium cumini [L.] Skeels) is one of the most potential underutilized fruit crops. Here, phenotypic and pomological variability among 61 accessions of this species was investigated. Analysis of variance (p < .01) revealed significant differences among the accessions studied based on the traits recorded. Ripening date ranged from late June to mid-July. Fruit color was purple in 13, dark purple in 30, and black in 18 accessions. Fruit weight ranged from 2.12 to 8.95 g, and fruit flesh thickness varied from 1.25 to 6.78 mm. Principal component analysis showed that fruit-related characters are very important in differentiating among selections. The studied accessions were divided into two groups and several subgroups based on cluster analysis, which showed the phenotypic variations among them. Beside the significant differences among the accessions of different regions, significant variation was observed between the accessions of each region. The obtained results are useful for designing conservation strategies for the germplasm as well as implementing breeding programs, such as introducing cultivars with different goals, including early or late ripening and seedless, nonastringent, large, and deeper color-fruits. Based on the fruit quality attributes, such as fruit weight, color, and taste; eight accessions, including Pirdan-3, Soldan-1, Pirdan-6, Soldan-5, Nasirabad-3, Soldan-3, Nasirabad-8, and Ganjabad-11, were selected which can be cultivated directly in orchards or used as parents in breeding programs.
ABSTRACT
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the choicest fruit crops of the tropical and subtropical regions in the world. Morphological and pomological diversity of 18 mango (M. indica) genotypes (with 3-10 replications for each genotype, 81 trees in total) was evaluated from four areas of Sistan-va-Baluchestan province, Iran. There were significant differences among the genotypes investigated based on the traits recorded. Harvest date ranged from late May to early August. Fruit skin ground color was highly variable, including light green, green, light yellow, yellow, and orange. The values of fruit dimensions-related characters were as follows: fruit length: 45.67-142.21 mm, fruit diameter: 37.51-94.13 mm, and fruit weight: 44.58-469.42 g. Peel and pulp percentages ranged from 65.24 to 92.45%. The quantity of fiber on stone was intermediate in most of the genotypes. Fruit weight showed positive standardized beta-coefficient (ß) values with stone weight (ß = 0.66, p < .00) and pulp and skin content (ß = 0.44, p < .00). Thus, these two key variables are the main traits accounting for fruit weight, and they should be considered together in breeding programs. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed 21 components explaining 85.44% of the total variance, and the first principal component (PC1) was positively correlated with fruit-related traits. A dendrogram created using Euclidean distances and the Ward's method revealed two main clusters. High dissimilarity levels among the studied genotypes showed high variability in the germplasm. Based on the traits related to fruit quality, seven genotypes, including GulabKhas, Chaunsa, Ghalami, Soldan, Porteghali, KalmiBozorg, and Jangal, were superior and are recommended to use for cultivation in commercial orchards for area-specific and in breeding programs.
ABSTRACT
The nutritional and medicinal benefits of Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. have led to its attention. Here, morphological and pomological diversity of this species was investigated. Most of the characters recorded showed considerable differences among the genotypes studied. The range of ripening data was from mid-February to mid-March. Fruit weight ranged between 15.68 and 33.62 g with an average of 24.17. Strong diversity was observed among the genotypes in terms of fruit skin ground color, ranging from light green to orange. There were significant correlations between some characters especially between the traits related to fruit size. Principal component analysis (PCA) classified the traits into 12 main components, justifying 75.07% of the total variance. The studied genotypes were grouped into two main clusters, indicating strong diversity among them. The present information might be used to choose the genotypes with the desired traits. Twenty-one genotypes were promising because of high values of fruit weight, fruit taste, fruit skin color, and fruit quality, and thus, they can be recommended for direct cultivation and also to be used in breeding programs. The genotypes with superior traits can be further used for improvement through selection and hybridization to get desired traits.
