Phenotypic, Morphological Diversity and Biochemical Characterization Of 14 Almond cultivars from Morocco

The aim of this study is focused on the identification and analysis of morphological, pomological and biochemical special characteristics of 14 almond genotypes from the experimental Ain Taoujadate collection to reach to the promising genotypes with special features of performance. Commercial and local (Prunus dulcis L.) cultivars vary considerably in their fruit and kernel characteristics. In the present study, fruit and kernel traits of 14 almond cultivars grown in Morocco, were examined. The cultivars included 8 major commercial and 6 Moroccan cultivars. Results showed significant differences exist among all genotypes across a number of morphological traits. The imported cultivars generally showed improved physical traits, such as larger fruit and kernels. In this concept, in order to supplement the morphology-based results, several molecular techniques including isoenzyme, SSRs, and AFLPs are required for describing diversity, for characterizing Moroccan almond and for testing species differentiation at the molecular level and to establish a correlation between the different characters of almond cultivars studied.