Evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative traits of some Iranian local pomegranates as compared to “Wonderful” commercial cultivar

Purpose: Diverse commercial cultivars as well as wild pomegranate genotypes are widespread throughout Iran. Such diversity considered as backbone of breeding programs. This study was aimed to comparative analysis of fruit traits of eight local pomegranate cultivars and a well-known, commercially adapted, “Wonderful” cultivar. Research method: The fruits were harvested and transferred to the laboratory. The fruit, aril and skin parameters were measured and the data was analyzed as completely randomized design with three replications. Findings: The results clearly showed diverse differences among cultivars. The highest fruit weight, length, width, aril weight, aril diameter, aril fresh/dry weights, skin fresh/dry weights were found in “Gavkoshak”. The highest calyx length and skin thickness were recorded in “Galookandeh”. The “Torsh Oud”, “Faroogh”, “Galookandeh” and “Rubab” were detected to have hard seeds. The highest TSS, skin / aril anthocyanin and sucrose content were found in “Wonderful”. The maximum amount of glucose and fructose were observed in the “Rubab”. The results finally showed that “Gavkoshak” and “Rubab” cultivars had the greater ranks in terms of their physical fruit parameters. In terms of chemical properties, the best cultivars were “Wonderful” and “Rubab”. The “Rubab”, “Gavkoshak” and “Wonderful” are recommended as superior cultivars for either pomegranate production or future breeding programs. Limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: The “Wonderful” is an introduced one and the comparative analysis of pomegranates of Fars origin concurrently with this new plant material would be valuable. Furthermore, the pomological traits of these local cultivars were not also studied earlier.

Keywords:

Diversity , Iranian cultivars , Physicochemical characteristics , Pomegranate