Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Various Apricot Cultivars under Subtropical Climate Conditions of the Mediterranean Region in Turkey

Abstract

Seven apricot cultivars (“Beliana,” “Canino,” “Precoce de Colomer,” “Feriana,” “Rouge de Sernhac,” “Tokaloğlu,” and “Macar”) were evaluated at the experimental orchard of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. Phenological and pomological characteristics such as flowering period, average fruit weight, yield, fruit dimensions, flesh/seed ratio, acidity, and total soluble solids (TSSs) were examined. In addition, yield parameters of the cultivars were evaluated. Over four years, the highest average fruit weight was obtained from “Rouge de Sernhac” (37.9 g), while “Feriana” had the lowest (30.9 g). The flesh/seed ratio was the highest in the “Canino” (16.8). “Canino” had the highest TSS content with 14.5%, whereas “Beliana” had the lowest TSS value with 10.6%. “Beliana” and “Feriana” ripened the earliest (May 20) while “Precoce de Colomer” ripened latest (June 7). The average yield was highest on “Rouge de Sernhac” (41.2 kg/tree). “Beliana” and “Feriana” cultivars are recommended for precocity, and “Rouge de Sernhac” and “Tokaloğlu” for middle season in Dörtyol, Turkey.