| Abstrakt: |
Since the investigation of characteristics of genotypes and cultivars is the first step in breeding projects, this study was conducted to evaluate 41 morphological and physiological characteristics and 7 qualitative characteristics of caprifig cultivars (Sibi, Khakestooni, Atashi, Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi), based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that tree growth habit was in two forms of semi-erect (Khakestooni, Atashi, Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) and spread (Sibi). Cultivars formed three groups based on the dominant type of leaves, that included entire (without lobes) (Khakestooni), threelobed (Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) and five-lobed (Atashi and Sibi). The fruit shape was predominantly pyriform, which was observed in Atashi, Daneh-Sefid and Koohi cultivars. The maximum fruit length and width were in Atashi cultivar (21.33 mm and 22.33 mm, respectively). The fruit neck length was long in Atashi cultivar and the fruit weight was the highest in Sibi cultivar. The Fruit skin ground colour showed strong diversity, including green-yellow in Sibi, Daneh-Sefid and Pozdenbali cultivars, purple in Koohi and Atashi cultivars, and violet in Khakestooni cultivar. The fruit number per branch was low in all cultivars except Koohi. The number of pollens inside the fruit was highly variable among cultivars, including low in Atashi and Sibi, moderate in Khakestooni and Daneh-Sefid, and high in Pouzdonbali and Koohi. There was the highest number of male and female Blastophaga wasp in Khakestooni cultivar. Our study demonstrated great morphological and physiological variation among the caprifig cultivars, which makes them valuable genetic resources to incorporate into breeding programs in addition to their use for caprification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
