Phenological and pomological characterization of genotypes obtained by crossing of four local and two foreign apricot cultivars

In this study, the pomological and phenological characteristics of the genotypes obtained from reciprocal hybridization with 4 local "Kabaaşı", "Hacıhaliloğlu", "Çataloğlu" and "Hasanbey"; 2 foreign varieties formed of "Luizet" and "P. Colomer" were investigated. The research was carried out in the orchard and laboratories of Malatya Apricot Research Institute for two years in 2009-2010 growing season. Pomological characteristics such as fruit width, length, height, weight, seed weight, flesh / seed ratio, flesh firmness, total soluble solid and pH; phenological characteristics like bud blistering, first flowering, full bloom, end of flowering, date of fruit ripening and defoliation were exanimated in genotype and parents for 2 years. According to the weighted grading performed in 2009, it was determined that the genotypes with the highest scores; 23-9, 19-17 and 26-1 could be promising varieties. Genotypes as well as their parents were examined in 2010. "Kabaaşı" variety was the highest score in weighted rating. It was noted that genotypes 11-12, 12-2, 1-23, 11-9 and 11-24 obtained from the crossing of Luizet X Kabaaşı and Kabaaşı X Luizet obtained the highest scores in weighted rating after Kabaaşı. Hacıhaliloğlu 7 th, Hasanbey 17 th and Çataloğlu 63 th was ranked amoung domestic varieties. These results show that there are significant improvements in quality in genotypes selected as candidate for varieties as a result of hybridization. In the next stage, studies should be continued on the selected 8 apricot cultivar candidates.