Superior Trees Research Articles

Fruit productivity of Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) along a climatic gradient in Chile

Pinus pinea L. is a Mediterranean species of economic importance due to its edible seeds, the pine nuts that have high market value. We analyzed fruit productivity by recording cone number per tree (CN) on 3464 trees distributed along a climatic gradient in Chile. Cone weight at harvest (CW) and in-shell pine nut number per cone (IS) were measured on 76 superior trees. Climatic and biometeorological variables, defined based on 11 physio-phenological reproductive phases, were related to fruit production traits. Results showed marked differences among North, South and Dry coast areas. The highest values of cone productivity (32kgtree−1) and CN (62conestree−1) were recorded in the South. Stone pine cone production throughout Chile was favored by spring minimum temperature above 7°C; annual thermal oscillation below 12°C and late summer temperature below 6°C during differentiation of reproductive shoots; and a high spring rainfall, except during male flowering period. Accumulated rainfall above 14mm during 2 year-old conelet growth produced heavier cones. IS significantly increased when accumulated rainfall during cone ripening was above 133mm. Therefore, water supply would be recommended as a cultural practice to mitigate the negative impact of reduced water availability on fruit productivity.

Single-tree management for high-value timber species in a cool-temperate mixed forest in northern Japan

ABSTRACTHigh-value hardwood species such as monarch birch (Betula maximowicziana) and castor aralia (Kalopanax septemlobus) are important economic and ecological elements of cool-temperate mixed forests in northern Japan. This article presents the single-tree management system for high-value timber species as practised for 50 years at the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest. Nearly 2000 valuable broad-leaved trees meeting the size and quality criteria have been registered as ‘superior trees’, and their status is periodically monitored for timing of harvest. A case study was conducted using 2105 inventory plots to characterize the stand types in which superior trees occur. A total of 57 superior trees of 11 broad-leaved species was found in 2.2% of the inventory plots. The results indicated that superior trees generally grew in mature species-rich stands. Superior trees of some species may have promoted their abundance by dispersing relatively more seeds to the surroundings. Single-tree management facilitates the sustainable use of high-value timber species by explicitly monitoring the numbers, attributes and locations of superior trees, and contributes to conserving stand structural diversity through protection of these large-sized canopy trees, which promotes ecological values such as biomass and carbon storage, species diversity, seed abundance and bird habitat. The production of fancy wood from superior trees earns significant income through extremely high log prices (maximum > 20,000 USD m–3).EDITED BY Nicholas Brokaw

Селекційна оцінка плюсових дерев сосни звичайної та їх потомств за смолопродуктивністю

Результати досліджень плюсових дерев та їх потомства дали змогу встановити комплексне плюсове дерево, яке, окрім високої деревної продуктивності, відзначається високими показниками виділення живиці. Смолопродуктивність цього дерева, яку визначено методом мікропоранень, на 71,6 % перевищила середнє значення в насадженні. А смолопродуктивність його півсібсового потомства на 125-140 % була вищою, порівняно з потомством популяційного збору насіння, а вегетативного – в 2,1-7,0 разів переважала інші потомства. Архіви клонів комплексного плюсового дерева є цінним резервом генетичного матеріалу і можуть бути базою для створення високопродуктивних цільових культур з метою отримання як деревини, так і живиці. В умовах спеціалізованих лісонасінних плантацій, що створені шляхом клонування з плюсових за смолопродуктивністю дерев, можна отримувати насіння в значних обсягах з високими за цією ознакою спадковими властивостями.

The variability in walnut (Juglans regia L.) germplasm from different regions in Iran

Walnut (Juglans regia L) has various microelement and nutritious substances and is one of the important nut crops. In the present research, 89 walnut genotypes were selected from different regions of Iran and evaluated to determine phenotypic diversity and to detect superior trees. The variability was detected for nut and kernel characters. Nut and kernel characters were predominant into the first three principal components and explained most of the total variation. The most of simple correlations were to be found between the variables of nut and kernel sizes. Principal component and cluster analyses indicated a high variation among the studied genotypes. The results indicated that most of genotypes were suitable in terms of consistent kernel percentage and color and can be singled out for cultivation. Furthermore, they could be useful as a parent to be crossed to generating appropriate populations or improve cultivars. In conclusion, two key variables, kernel weight and nut weight, were the important traits accounting for kernel percentage which should be regarded in breeding programs.

Evaluation of an almond collection using morphological variables to choose superior trees

Introduction. Iranian almond germplasm is regarded as one of the most diverse and valuable genetics resources for almond improvement. Materials and methods. In the present study, 155 almond genotypes were evaluated to determine the overall degree of variation and to detect superior trees. The variation was observed for traits related to phenology, morphology, yield and fruit quality. Results and discussion. Nut and kernel traits contributed most of the total variation but there were also significant differences in flowering and ripening times. The majority of important correlations were determined between the characteristics representing nut size and kernel size. Cluster and principal component analyses confirmed considerable diversity in the studied germplasm. Conclusion. Genotypes MSh11, MSh100, MSh97, MSh24 and MSh126 were the best trees in terms of flowering season, consistently high fruit set, large nut and kernel size, and low percentage of double kernels. Furthermore, genotypes MSh9 and MSh110 were very late flowering and could be useful in breeding to improve flowering season of almond.

Domestication Potential of Aromatic Pickle-mango (Appemidi) Types in the Central Western Ghats, India

Aromatic pickle-mango types, locally termed as ‘Appemidi’, are extensively collected for household use and for commerce from the wild habitats even today in the central Western Ghats, India. Because of the deep cultural attachment, people have recognized several pickle-mango types from the wild habitats. However, studies on treeto-tree variation in fruit and stone traits in natural populations are not done, which is a pre-requisite for cultivar development. Unripe fruits collected from 34 wild fruiting trees in two populations, 17 from Sirsi and 17 from Siddapur localities in Central Western Ghats, India were studied for variation in fruit traits and its association traits. Fruits from Sirsi locality were significantly larger than those from Siddapur (84.27 vs. 51.26g) due to their greater green flesh mass (79.91 vs. 43.17 g). Tree-to-tree variation was highly significant and continuous in fruit length (Sirsi = 49.45–102.51 mm; Siddapur = 28.23–59.19 mm), stone length (Sirsi=26.97–55.59 mm; Siddapur=20.43–51.47mm), fruit mass (Sirsi=19.78–84.27g; Siddapur=15.50–51.26 g) and flesh mass (Sirsi=18.01– 79.91g; Siddapur=13.93–43.17g), indicating the potential for selection. The strong relationships between fruit mass and green flesh mass in aromatic pickle-mango found in this study indicated that selection for green flesh mass can be based on fruit mass. Based on five important traits preferred by growers/fruit collectors/sellers and four quantitative traits from observations, development of an ‘ideal type’ and identification of potential superior trees was attempted. These results have important implications for the domestication of pickle-mango genetic resources.

Effects of different insect species on seed quantity and quality in Norway spruce

Grafts from selected superior trees are used for establishment of seed orchards. These seeds result in trees with higher growth rates and better wood quality than trees originating from seeds collected in local forest stands. Insecticides are used to reduce damage to seeds in seed orchards. Hypothetically, this may be ineffective because the suppression of one insect species may relieve interspecific competition and trigger corresponding increases in damage caused by another species. Therefore, we investigated the effects of three insect species [Dioryctria abietella Denis and Schiffermüller (Pyralidae), Cydia strobilella L. (Tortricidae) and Strobilomyia anthracina Czerny (Anthomyiidae)], singly and in all possible permutations, on the numbers and quality of seeds in Picea abies cones. Species were manipulated by insecticide treatments. The cones were examined for externally visible damage caused by D. abietella and S. anthracina after which the seeds were extracted, counted and X-rayed to assess seed quality and the number of seeds infested by insects. Finally, the cones were dissected to identify and count C. strobilella larvae. There was no evidence of trade-offs between absence of one species and increased damage by the remaining species. Instead, damage tended to increase as the number of species in a cone increased. The most serious pest species in the present study was D. abietella, reducing the number of filled seeds by approximately 60%. Our results indicate that there is little risk that suppression measures directed towards one particular species will lead to increased damage by other species. The insecticide, α-cypermethrin, showed promising results against D. abietella and S. anthracina.

Study on Superior Tree Selection Methods of Phoebe Hui in Hunan

Phoebe hui is a precious timber tree species. In order to get excellent seedlings and stands with good genes and develop Phoebe hui better, it is necessary to select superior trees. The dominant trees comparative method and small sample plot method were used to evaluate and select Phoebe hui superior trees in Longshan county, Hunan province, and the evaluation factors included diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, timber volume and other quality factors. The results showed that, using the dominant trees comparative method, the DBH, tree height and timber volume values of the superior tree were more than 1.12, 1.06 and 1.23 times of the mean values of 5 dominant trees respectively, and 6 superior trees were selected in two stands. Using small sample plot method, the DBH, tree height and timber volume of the superior tree were more than the mean value and 1 times standard deviation value of the stand, and 4 trees were selected as superior tree. These 2 methods can be used for superior tree selection of Phoebe hui in Hunan, and the dominant trees comparative method is more simple and easier for operation.

팥배나무 집단의 열매의 형태적 특성에 의한 다변량분석과 선발효과추정

본 연구는 팥배나무의 열매에 대한 우수개체 선발을 위한 기초자료를 얻고자 11개 집단에서 총 107개체를 선발하여 선발목 열매의 형태적 특성 변이를 조사하고 주성분 분석과 군집분석을 실시하였으며 열매 특성에 의한 선발효과를 추정하였다. 주성분 분석 결과, 제4 주성분까지 75.4%의 설명력을 나타냈으며 군집분석에서는 4 그룹으로 구분되어짐을 알 수 있었다. 열매 수확량과 관련된 특성인 열매 폭과 길이 그리고 송이 당 수확량 특성을 대상으로 광교산1, 2와 덕유산7 그리고 마니산 29, 30 등 5개체의 우수개체 후보목을 선발하였다. 선발개체 5본에 대해서 전체 평균 형질과 비교하여 선발효과를 추정한 결과, 열매 폭은 122.8%, 열매 길이는 115.5%, 송이 당 수확량은 182.7%의 선발효과를 추정할 수 있었다. In order to select superior trees based on fruit characteristics and provide basic informations necessary for their improvement, total 107 individual trees of Sorbus alnifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) K. Koch were selected from 11 wild populations in South Korea. After collecting normal fruit branch, we investigated morphological characteristics of fruit and then considered its relationship among the 11 populations by multivariate analysis method. Results from principal compound analysis showed that it represented 85.8% accumulated explanation from five principal compounds. According to cluster analysis based on fruit characteristics, the natural S. alnifolia populations were classified into four groups and Mt. Mani population was different from other populations. Selection effect with outstanding candidate trees including superior 5 individual trees (Gwangyo 1, Gwangyo 2, Deogyu 7, Mani 29, Mani 30) was estimated at 122.8%, 115.5% and 182.7% in fruit width, length and yield per fruit bunch, respectively. The object of this results will give us invaluable information about breeding by selection of S. alnifolia in south Korea.

Assessment of variability in morphological and wood quality traits in Melia dubia Cav. for selection of superior trees

Assessment of natural variability in morphological and important wood quality traits and selection of trees with superior or desired wood characteristics is a prerequisite for an effective tree improvement. Variability in morphological and wood quality traits was assessed in selected trees from a 9-year-old plantation of Melia dubia raised from material of unknown genetic source. A large variation was observed in vertical and lateral tree growth within the sampled trees. Wood quality traits namely heartwood proportion, basic density, stress wave velocity, dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMoE) and volumetric shrinkage also exhibited a substantial variation between trees. Pilodyn penetration exhibited a strong negative correlation with wood basic density and DMoE. Acoustic velocity in trees, wood basic density, and volumetric shrinkage did not exhibit any significant relationship with each other. Similarly, tree growth parameters were not related to either wood density or shrinkage. Acoustic velocity measured in standing trees by transit-time method was in a close agreement with the velocity measured in logs using resonance method. A large variability in the measured traits and absence of any significant relationship in morphological and wood quality traits imply that selection of trees with superior wood properties can be made for further propagation without compromising on tree growth. Pilodyn and acoustic velocity measurements in standing trees provided an opportunity to screen and select M. dubia trees with superior wood density and modulus of elasticity.

Genetic selection of Calophyllum brasiliense for seed orchards

Calophyllum brasiliense populations are under severe depletion and criteria to improve production and quality of propagative material are therefore necessary. Genetic measures have the potential to reduce consanguinity and maximize allelic representation within target populations. Here, we explored genetic values for this species in a small relic of natural forest in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil). The objective was to evaluate the potential of some genetic measures for seed orchard establishment. As genomic information of native trees is still scarce, we opted to use a dominant marker: RAPD. DNA from 17 phenotypically superior trees was obtained through the CTAB method and submitted for amplification by PCR. Electrophoresis and electronic documentation was then conducted. We calculated the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB), gene diversity (Ht), Shannon’s information index (i), genetic distance (UPGMA) and parsimony analysis. Six primers were evaluated generating 34 loci. We found high genetic diversity PPB=70.6% with Ht=0.28 and i=0.41. Genetic relationships were reported in dendrograms (maximum parsimony and distance). Simulated sampling within and among clusters suggests that inter cluster sampling is more effective to capture the genetic diversity.

Early evaluation of micropropagated black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) clones in Hungary

In Hungary, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important exotic species, forming entire stands. Its importance is increasing in many other countries. As a result of a new selection program eight black locust clones have been improved for establishing clone trials and a seed orchard. In this study juvenile growth and stem quality of micropropagated clones of black locust were evaluated on a marginal site in central Hungary. At ten years old, the clones ‘MB17D3/4’ and ‘PV201E2/4’ appeared to be especially promising for high quality wood production under arid hydrological conditions. A tissue culture method can be considered a suitable tool of propagating superior individual trees and offers new prospects for the rapid cloning of selected genotypes.

Penentuan Tingkat Kompetisi Tajuk Tegakan Jati Hasil Uji Keturunan Umur 11 Tahun di KPH Ngawi

Determination of the Competition Level for Growing Space of Teak Canopy from 11-year- old Progeny Test in KPH NgawiThe increasing demand of teak wood should be followed by the increasing of teak forest productivity through intensive silviculture, especially growing space manipulation. The main objective of this research was to determine the growing space competition.The material was measurement data from eleven year progeny test located at the compartment 49a, RPH Sidowayah, BKPH Kedunggalar, KPH Ngawi. The growing space competition was calculated using Hegyi’s competition index. Superior trees were selected to determine competition zone of the subject tree and this result was proposed to calculate the competition index of all trees. Based on the correlation between competition index and tree height, vertical structure was then classified using k-means cluster.Based on 300 superior trees, the competition zone could be determined using reference angle of 66°. The competition index was vary in between 0.00 and 4.23 with average value of 1.18. The correlation between the index and the tree height was found to be low with r = -0.227. Based on this correlation, the vertical structure was classified into four level namely dominant, co-dominant, medium, and suppressed respectively.

Growth Characteristics, Biomass and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Variation of Garhwal Himalaya’s Fodder and Fuel Wood Tree Species at the Nursery Stage

Fodder and fuel wood deficiency in the Himalayan region is well recognized. Rural inhabitants are exploiting these forest resources for their livelihood for generations which leads to severe deforestation. The aim of this study was to identify the fast growing fodder and fuel wood tree species of Garhwal Himalayas at nursery stage with wider relevance and great potential for extensive afforestation programmes. Seed of Bauhinia purpurea L., Bauhinia retusa Roxb., Bauhinia variegate L., Celtis australis L., Ficus nemoralis Wall., Ficus roxburghii Wall., Grewia optiva Drummond, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Melia azedarach L., Ougeinia oojeinensis (Roxb.) Hochr., Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus, Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth. and Toona ciliate M. Roem. were collected from the superior trees and seedlings were raised. After one year and one month of establishment at the nursery, the growth characteristics, biomass and chlorophyll fluorescence (dark-adopted Fv/Fm) of each species were also recorded. G. optiva had shown the highest growth in terms of height, basal diameter increment and number of branches, while production of leaves was more on O. oojeinensis. Biomass and chlorophyll fluorescence (maximum quantum yield or photochemical efficiency of PSII) was found highest in Q. leucotrichophora which indicates photosynthetically this species was most active among the studied fodder and fuel wood tree species. The information in this communication could be utilized for developing various conservation and sustainable strategies in the Garhwal Himalayas to mitigate the<

Linkage map construction and QTL analysis for Betula platyphylla Suk using RAPD, AFLP, ISSR and SSR

AbstractA linkage map for Betula platyphylla Suk was constructed based on RAPD, ISSR, AFLP and SSR markers by a pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. A F1segregating population including 80 progenies was obtained from the cross between two superior trees selected from Qinghai and Wangqing provenance, respectively. The paternal map was constructed with 282 markers consisting of 14 major and 15 minor (5 triplets and 10 doublets) linkage groups and spanning 1131 cM at an average distance of 4.0 cM between adjacent markers. The maternal map has 277 markers consisting of 15 major and 8 minor (5 triplets and 3 doublets) groups covering 1288 cM at an average distance of 4.6 cM between adjacent markers. In the same pedigree we investigated association of genetic markers with seedling stem height and circumference. The composite interval mapping was used to detect the number of quantitative trait loci and their position on the genetic linkage maps. Three QTLs (one on the male map and two on the female map) were found explaining 13.4%, 17.5% and 18.8% of the trait variation, respectively.

English

The availability of a rapid vegetative amplification procedure of mass-selected superior trees greatly accelerates the development of a new tree species as a crop. This study outlined the protocol for&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;propagation of marula nodal explants from marula seedlings. Surface sterilized explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog media (MS) supplemented with 26 combinations of N6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (KN). Shoots were elongated on MS media supplemented with low BA and KN or BA and Gibberellin A3 (GA3) concentrations. Elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS media supplemented with indolebutyric acid (IBA) at differing concentrations. MS media supplemented with 4.8 &mu;M BA and 2.4 &mu;M KN resulted in average 2.5 shoots per responding explant. Moderate shoot elongation was achieved on MS media supplemented with 1.2 &mu;M BA plus 1.0 &mu;M KN. Maximum rooting was observed on half- strength MS media supplemented with 10 &mu;M IBA. Marula plants were acclimatized and established in soil in the growth room at an average micropropagation rate of 0.56 per responding nodal explant. The developed protocol has potential for routine micropropagation of elite&nbsp;Sclerocarya birrea&nbsp;subsp.&nbsp;caffra.Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis scoring 1845 markers showed intraclonal genetic stability between explant parent and micropropagated plants. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Anacardiaceae, axillary bud proliferation, marula, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), somaclonal variation

Combined use of Pinus pinaster plus and inoculation with selected ectomycorrhizal fungi as an ecotechnology to improve plant performance

Pinus pinaster is an important forest species for environmental and economic reasons. Due to its importance, tree improvement plans aimed at the selection and use of phenotypically superior trees, designated by plus trees, have been established. It is known that ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can improve tree survival and growth. Seeds obtained from P. pinaster plus trees have been used in forest nurseries. However, the effect of inoculation with ECM fungi on the performance of these plants has not been studied. We compared the performance of P. pinaster plants obtained from seeds of plus and non-plus trees to inoculation with different selected ECM fungi under conventional forest nursery conditions. In plants obtained from seeds of non-plus trees only those inoculated with Suillus bovinus+Laccaria laccata+Lactarius deterrimus had a significantly greater biomass and needles nitrogen concentration, while in plants obtained from seeds of plus trees this effect was seen not only in those receiving that same ECM inoculation, but also in those inoculated with Rhizopogon roseolus or Pisolithus tinctorius+Scleroderma citrinum. The best performance was that of plants obtained from seeds of plus trees and inoculated with R. roseolus or S. bovinus+L. laccata+L. deterrimus, with an increase in biomass of 2.2 and 2.0 times, respectively. This significant improvement was achieved without extra input of agrochemicals. The combined use of seeds obtained from plus trees and inoculation with selected ECM fungi can be an advantageous ecotechnological approach to improve nursery production of P. pinaster.

Comportement des clones de teck "Ysg Biotech TG1-8" dans des conditions de site variées : premières observations

Au début des années 1990 au Sabah (Malaisie orientale), la division " Biotech " du groupe Yayasan Sabah a développé avec des chercheurs du Cirad Forêt une technique efficiente de clonage industriel par bouturage et microbouturage de tecks, Tectona grandis, de tous âges. Les premiers clones ont été produits à partir de huit tecks "Plus" sélectionnés au Sabah, pour leurs caractéristiques phénotypiques et de croissance supérieures, sous 2 500 mm de pluie bien répartis sur l'année. Le comportement tout à fait convaincant au champ des premiers représentants de ces clones a favorisé rapidement leur propagation à grande échelle pour répondre aux fortes demandes, locales et internationales. Depuis, plusieurs millions de tecks clonés ont été produits à partir de ces huit têtes de clone initiales et la demande ne cesse d'augmenter. Cette situation nous a incités à synthétiser les informations disponibles sur le comportement de ces clones dans les différents sites où ils ont été introduits. Les premières observations indiquent que ce matériel a fait preuve d'une grande faculté d'adaptation dans des conditions environnementales très variées, surpassant dans chaque site d'introduction toutes les autres origines de tecks, tant du point de vue de la quantité que de la qualité du bois produit. Cette remarque vaut également pour des lieux ne recevant que 1 000 mm de pluie par an avec huit mois de saison sèche, conditions pluviométriques bien inférieures à celles du Sabah. Des situations bénéficiant d'une forte pluviométrie équitablement répartie sur l'ensemble de l'année sont néanmoins préférables pour garantir le meilleur de ces clones. Un de leurs attraits majeurs demeure la formation précoce de fûts droits et hauts avec un minimum de branches, ce qui encourage leur utilisation en agroforesterie et réduit les opérations d'élagage. La disponibilité en clones de tecks présentant de tels avantages comparatifs est à l'origine de l'essor actuel des plantations clonales industrielles de tecks dans de nombreux pays.

Genetic parameters and provenance variation of Pinus radiata D. Don. ‘Eldridge collection’ in Australia 2: wood properties

Provenance variation and genetic parameters for wood properties of mature radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) were studied by sampling three provenance/progeny trials in southeast Australia. Among the mainland provenances, Monterey and Ano Nuevo had higher density and modulus of elasticity (at one site) than Cambria. Basic density and predicted modulus of elasticity (MoE) for the island provenances, Guadalupe and Cedros, were ∼20% higher at Billapaloola compared to mainland provenances grown at Green Hills and Salicki, differences that may or may not be linked to site differences. Heritability estimates of density, predicted MoE and microfibril angle were significant and \( {\bar{h}^2} \) > 0.45, suggesting moderate to strong genetic control. The estimated genetic correlations between diameter at breast height and wood properties in the current study were weaker (less negative) than the mean estimated from the current breeding population generation in radiata pine. Of the wood properties, density showed the strongest adverse genetic correlations with growth (mean rA = −0.23 ± 0.09). Selection for MoE may produce greater gain than selection for density because MoE had almost twice the estimated additive genetic coefficient of variation (\( {\overline {\text{CV}}_A} \)) compared to density. Estimated type B genetic correlations (rB) for all wood quality traits were typically high, conforming to the trend that wood properties have low genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E). Significant differences in wood properties among provenances, families and/or individual trees provide an opportunity for breeding programmes to select superior trees for solid wood production that will combine superior growth with desirable wood traits.

Research into service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) population in eastern Serbia

All fruit tree populations along with the service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) population offer a wealth of diverse genetic material which is essential for the selection and creation of new cultivars and rootstocks. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the service tree population in Eastern Serbia in order to single out good selections whose fruit can be used fresh or processed in the human diet, as well as genotypes suitable for the development of new cultivars and rootstocks. The service tree population was analyzed for tree age, tree size and major fruit properties (shape, size and soluble solids content). Small-sized, medium to large and large fruits ranging in weight from 7.5-9.8 g, 10.3-18.6 g and 21.7-25.6 g were found in 52.3%, 41.1% and 6.60% trees, respectively, within the test population. Fruit length was 18.6-33.4 mm, fruit thickness 22.8-37.4 mm, stalk length 1.8-3.7 mm, soluble solids content 15.7-22.5%. The study also presents properties of some superior trees which require greater attention in terms of propagation, collection activities and commercial cultivation.