Morphological and pomological characterization of prickly fig (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) genotypes grown naturally in the region of Ortaca and Köyceğiz

This study, carried out in 2018-2019, was carried out to select clone candidate plants from the prickly fig Opuntia ficus -indica L. (Cactaceae) genotypes in the natural growing areas of the Köyceğiz and Ortaca (Muğla) regions. The morphological characteristics of 60 prickly fig genotypes were determined according to the UPOV protocol. The findings were evaluated by cluster analysis and 15 genotypes were selected, which were far from each other in terms of the characteristics discussed. Phenological periods; bud break was observed in late March and early April, the full bloom was observed during May-June, and the picking time of fruits was observed as August and September. General morphological characterizations of genotypes have been identified as plant growth type "upright", plant height "tall", clatode shape "narrow elliptical", clathode spiny status "very little", number of spines coming out an areole "less", and the number of spines in the clathode "less". The highest values in terms of pomological characteristics; fruit length (96.23 mm) KS1, fruit diameter (54.99 mm) KZ3, fruit weight (155.76 g) KZ3, fruit flesh weight (94.16 g) KH1, the highest pulp ratio (%68) was obtained from OO10 genotypes. The highest number of seeds was counted in KH1 genotype with 231.66. TSS varied between %14.20 (KH1) and %6.40 (OO2), pH 6.37 (KE2) and 3.82 (OO1), titratable acid %0.11 (KH1) and %0.02 (OO2), vitamin C 17.25 mg/100gr (KD8) to 6.51 mg/100 gr (OO13). According to cluster analysis; KH1, KS2, KH4, KD5, KB3, KE3, KD7, KD8, OD1, OO4, OO6, OO7, OO9, OO11, OO13 genotypes were selected far from each other in terms of the characteristics considered. On the other hand, KH1 genotype had the best characteristics in terms of fruit weight, fruit size, number of seeds and many pomological quality parameters.