POMOLOGICAL AND PHENOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PROMISING WALNUT (Juglans regia L.) GENOTYPES FROM MALATYA, TURKEY

Turkey has significant walnut (Juglans regia L.) plantations most of which are seedling-grown trees. Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey has rich phenotypic diversity. In this study, walnut genotypes of the region were evaluated and considerable genetic variation in pomological and phenological characteristics was found in walnut genotypes which were of seedling origin. The study region was about 12 000 km(2) are between 35 degrees 54'-39 degrees 03' N latitude and 38 degrees 45'-39 degrees 08' E longitude. It is estimated that the region has 162 800 walnut trees. During our survey more than 3000 walnut genotypes were observed for several horticultural characteristics. Selections studied were carried out among these populations. Based on several horticultural characteristics, 158 genotypes were selected. Here, we report the several characteristics of 16 superior walnut genotypes of these 158 selections with promising yield and fruit characteristics. Among our selections we observed the ranges of 65-100% for terminal fruitfulness, 38-67 % for lateral fruitfulness, 1.98-3.15 fruits for terminal shoots, 1.36-2.25 fruits for lateral shoots, 12.6-17.5 g nut weight, 6.9-9.1 g kernel weight, 47.3-60.8% kernel ratio and 0.95-17.5 mm shell thickness. The most promising genotypes were 94 Mws 30, 95 Mws 78 and 97 Mws 103, and these selections will be used for further breeding efforts.