Determination of some pecan (Carya illinoinensis) cultivars growth, development characteristics and biochemical contents in antalya ecological conditions

This study was carried out to determine not only the tree growth characteristics and fruit characteristics (the pomological, phenological, pomological) but also some biochemical properties (total oil, fatty acid composition, protein, total phenolic compounds, total antioxidant capacity, total flavonoids) of different pecan cultivars grown in the Antalya Region. It was determined that tree growth characteristics and fruit characteristics and biochemical contents of the cultivars used in the study differed statistically significantly (p≤0.05). In the research, the bud breaking of the varieties is March 22 (Wichita)-5 April (Choctaw), male flowering is April 27 (Western)-3 May (Choctaw, Mahan), female flowering is April 25 (Burkett, Wichita)-3 May (Western) and the time of defoliation ranged from December 6 (Burkett, Western) to December 20 (Mahan, Wichita). In the study, it was determined that the nut weight varied between 7.78 g (Burkett)-11.40 g (Mahan), kernel weight 3.45 g (Burkett)-5.99 g (Mahan), kernel percentage 44.2% (Burkett)-55.6% (Western, Wichita). Total oil content of the varieties 67.70% (Mahan)-73.95% (Wichita), protein content 7.45% (Mahan)-9.76% (Western), total phenolic compounds 115.29 mg GAE/g (Choctaw)-176.65 mg GAE/g (Burkett), total antioxidant capacity ranged from 256.02 mg TEAC/g (Choctaw)-597.21 mg TEAC/g (Burkett), and total flavonoids between 1.84 mg/g (Western)-2.24 mg/g (Mahan). In the study, oleic acid were the major fatty acid and the lowest ratio of unsaturated fatty acids was found in the Wichita variety (90.73%) and the highest Burkett variety (91.42%) (p≤0.05).