Correlation between the morphological characters of pomegranate (Punica granatum) traits and their implications for breeding

Authors: HAMID REZA KARIMI, Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan

Abstract: Pomegranate is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran. Selection of suitable genotypes resistant to unfavourable environmental and soil conditions and diseases is important for increasing the yield efficiency and acreage of this important crop. The aim of this research was to compare commercial pomegranate genotypes in Iran and to determine any correlations between morphological characteristics. Eight pomegranate types were used during the research. Twenty-six morphological characteristics were evaluated based on the pomegranate descriptor. Results from simple correlation analyses showed significant positive and negative correlations in certain important characteristics. Titratable acidity and vitamin C were in significant correlation with chlorophyll index and leaf weight. Factor analysis was used to determine the effective characteristics and the number of main factors. For each factor loading a value of more than 0.65 was judged as being significant. Effective characteristics were categorised into 5 main factors that contributed to 94.86% of the overall variance. Fruit characteristics were defined mainly by the first factor, contributing to 34.94% of the total variance. According to this study, leaf weight and chlorophyll index can be used for separation of sour from sweet cultivars in the juvenile phase.

Keywords: Correlation, factor analysis, genotype, pomegranate, titratable acidity

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