Morphological Diversity of Pyrus elaeagrifolia Pall. Ecotypes in Eastern Anatolia Region

Abstract

One of the wild fruit species that has been in demand in the markets in Turkey in recent years is oleaster-leafed pear (Pyrus elaeagrifolia). This species, which is widespread especially in arid areas in Turkey, is represented by a wide morphological diversity. It is found in general rural areas and its fruits collected and valued by rural people. In this study it was determined phenological (including ripening period) and some important morphological parameters of eight pre-selected promising oleaster-leafed pear (Pyrus elaeagrifolia) ecotypes. Ripening dates of ecotypes were observed between 25 October and 12 November. Fruit mass were in range of 8.36 to 16.11 g indicates a 2-fold difference between the ecotype with the lowest fruit weight and the ecotype with the highest fruit weight. Shape index were changed from 0.87 to 1.07. Fruit pedicel length and fruit firmness were found between 9.13 to 16.32 mm and 4.47 to 7.89 kg cm-2, respectively. The ecotypes S1, S4 and S6 can be advanced for commercial cultivation; furthermore, other ecotypes can be used as source of breeding lines for genetic improvement of oleaster-leafed pear.