Determination of Phenological and Pomological Characteristics of Some Apple (Malus domestica L.) Cultivars

Abstract

This study was carried out in 2017-2018 with the aim of determining the performances of Mondial Gala, Red Chief, Golden Delicious, Braeburn and Granny Smith apple varieties grafted on MM.106 semi-dwarf apple rootstock, by taking phenological observation and pomological characteristics into account, under Kırşehir conditions. In the study, harvest dates with bud blossom, bud burst, first flowering, full bloom and end of flowering were determined as phenological observations. Pomological characteristics, fruit weight (g), fruit width and length (mm), soluble solids content (TSSC), fruit flesh firmness (kg cm-2), pH, number of seeds (pieces) and seed weight (g), fruit stalk length and thickness (mm) and color values were determined. Phenological observations; In 2018 flower buds were awakened 1 week earlier than in 2017. Fruit weight in the examined varieties, 163.31-215.00 g, fruit width 71.10-77.33 mm, fruit size 63.20-71.26 mm, soluble solids content (TSSC) 11.16%-15.41%, fruit flesh firmness 4.72-6.14 kg cm-2, pH 3.31-4.03, number of seeds 6.75-9.35 pcs, seed weight 0.35-0.59 g, fruit stalk length 24.80-35.87 mm, fruit stalk thickness 1.79-2.74 mm, fruit skin color L value 19.50-78.86, a value -21.01- 43.24, and b value was changed between 10.10-51.24. Considering the phenological observations and pomological characteristics, it is concluded that apple varieties such as Mondial Gala, Red Chief, Golden Delicious, Braeburn and Granny Smith are suitable for Kırşehir ecological conditions.

Keywords

• Kırşehir
• apple
• phenological observations
• pomological characteristics
• soluble solids content