Phenotypic diversity and relationships of fruit quality traits in inter-specific almond × peach backcrosses breeding progenies

Abstract

Nineteen agrochemical traits of 20 almond inter-specific backcrosses progenies were evaluated and compared for three consequence years to find out their phenotypic diversity and determine the relationships of fruit quality traits in almond × peach backcrosses breeding progenies. The variation was observed for traits of phenology parameters (blooming time, ripening time), Physical parameters (fruit weight, width, height, shape, thickness, skin pubescences, colour and flower type), chemical parameters (total sugar content, soluble solids content and acidity) and sensory parameters (attractiveness, taste, and flavor) and yield. Many fruit characteristics that are important to breeders are present in this collection. A high variability was found in the evaluated almond progenies and significant differences were found among them in all studied quality attributes. Year-by-year variations were observed for majority of traits. A significant correlation was found among the fruit height, fruit width, skin pubescences and yield. Fruit height showed a significant positive correlation with fruit weight and fruit thickness and some other traits and a negative correlation with the titratable acidity, skin pubescences and fruit flavour. A high negative correlation was found between the fruit weight and titratable acidity (−0.8). Low coefficients were got between the flower colour and skin pubescences. In addition, principal component analysis it possible to established similar groups of genotypes depending on their quality characteristics and to study relationships among pomological traits in almond progenies evaluated.