Fruit characteristics of promising walnut genotypes from the region of eastern Serbia

Abstract

This research was conducted to examine the fruit characteristics of selected walnut genotypes from the native population of Eastern Serbia. Over 28 trees that deserve attention were recorded through the selection procedure. By grafting, grouping and cultivation under the same conditions at the Fruit Research Institute in Čačak, seven promising genotypes with the most favourable fruit characteristics were identified. Important physical properties of the fruit, such as fruit weight, kernel weight, fruit dimensions and some kernel and shell properties were investigated. The fruits of the selected genotypes were large or very large. The fruit weight ranged from 13.4 to 17.9 g, whereas the kernel weight varied from 6.22 to 8.92 g. The kernel was light-coloured or yellow, of very good taste. The kernel percentage in the tested genotypes was high, over 50.0% (50.7–55.3%). Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a significant correlation between fruit and kernel characteristics. PCA analysis showed an adequate grouping of genotypes based on fruit quality. The obtained results suggest that selected promising walnut genotypes showed very good fruit properties, and may contribute to the increase of walnut production in the future.

Istraživanje je sprovedeno u cilju ispitivanja karakteristike plodova odabranih genotipova oraha iz autohtone populacije istočne Srbije. U postupku selekcije evidentirano je više od 28 stabala koja zaslužuju pažnju. Kalemljenjem, grupisanjem i gajenjem u istim uslovima, u Institutu za voćarstvo, Čačak, identifikovano je sedam perspektivnih genotipova sa najpovoljnijim osobinama ploda. Ispitivane su važne fizičke osobine ploda, poput mase ploda, mase jezgre, dimenzije ploda i nekih osobina jezgre i ljuske. Plodovi odabranih genotipova su bili krupni ili veoma krupni. Masa ploda se kretala od 13.4 do 17.9 g, dok je masa jezgre varirala od 6.22 do 8.92 g. Boja jezgre je bila svetla ili žuta, veoma dobrog ukusa. Randman jezgre kod ispitivanih genotipova bio je visok, preko 50.0% (50.7–55.3%). Pearsonov koeficijent korelacije je otkrio značajnu korelaciju između karakteristike ploda i jezgre. PCA analiza je pokazala adekvatno grupisanje genotipova na osnovu kvaliteta ploda. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da su odabrani perspektivni genotipovi oraha pokazali veoma dobre osobine ploda, i da mogu doprineti povećanju proizvodnje oraha u budućnosti.