Morphological characteristics of Greek Strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) genotypes

Abstract

The morphological characteristics of fruits and leaves of ten Greek Strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) genotypes located on the middle course, from the left side of Konjska River, in South part of Republic of Macedonia are investigated. Among the investigated characteristics of Greek Strawberry tree genotypes it is noted a large level of polymorphism. The genotype 2 is characterized with twice as big fruit mass (1.87 g) as most of other investigated genotypes. The genotypes 2, 7 and 9 are included in the group with large fruits. According to CIELab color system the fruit skin of genotype 2 is characterized with unusually dark red coloration (L* 21.02; a* 18.8; b* 12.0), while the most attractive are the fruits from the genotype 9 (L* 23.9; a* 28.3; b* 17.4). The investigated genotypes show differences in the fruit anatomy, especially the genotype 7 which is characterized with significantly higher value for lobedness degree, pericarp area and pericarp thickness, percent of pulp and number of seeds in fruit. Large differences in the leaves dimension and form are also determined.

Keywords

• Arbutus andrachne L.
• genotype
• fruit
• leaf
• polymorphism