The effects of some quince clonal rootstocks on growth, yield and fruit quality of medlar

This research was carried out to determine the effects on the growth, yield and fruit quality of 'İstanbul' and 'Akçakoca77' medlar cultivars grafted on some quince clone rootstocks [Quince BA29 (Ba29), Quince A (QA), Quince MC (MC)] in Bafra/Samsun ecological conditions during 2021-2022 years. Phenological, pomological and morphological examinations were carried out in the research. Among the examined phenological characteristics, first flowering, full flowering and harvest were earlier in MC rootstocks in terms of rootstocks and earlier in 'İstanbul' cultivars in terms of cultivars. The rootstocks and cultivars had significant effect on morphological characteristics. In terms of rootstock averages, trunk cross-sectional area was 11.05-31.78 cm2; canopy volume was 0.71-0.96 m3, leaf area was 39.65-45.67 cm2, annual shoot length was 25.89-38.63 cm; in terms of cultivar averages, trunk cross-sectional area was 20.43-28.58 cm2, canopy volume was 0.80-095 m3, the leaf area was 32.47-51.92 cm2 and annual shoot length was 21.40-44.27 cm. The rootstocks and cultivars had a significant effect on fruit yield and quality characteristics. In the research, the highest fruit weight was determined in BA29 rootstock (53.02 g) in terms of rootstocks and in 'Akçakoca77' cultivar (62.18 g) in terms of cultivars. In the research, the depth and width of ostiole were 9.31-10.93 mm and 27.24-30.33 mm in terms of rootstocks; 9.83-10.15 mm and 21.89-32.92 mm in terms of cultivars. The effect of rootstock and cultivars on fruit volume was significant. The highest fruit volume was determined in BA29 rootstock (56.85 mL) in terms of rootstocks and in 'Akçakoca77' cultivar (63.90 mL) in terms of cultivars. Fruit flesh ratio and dry matter content were determined between 97.54 - 97.95% and 25.37-27.24% for rootstocks, and between 97.60-97.95% and 25.44-26.72% for cultivars. On the total soluble solid content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and pH; rootstocks had only TSS, cultivars had an effect on acidity. Rootstocks and cultivars had a significant effect on yield characteristics. Number of fruits per plant, yield per plant, yield per trunk cross-section area, yield per canopy volume and yield per decare in terms of rootstock average, 17.50-123.65 pieces, 0.80-5.23 kg, 0.09-0.18 kg/cm2, 1.23-5.35 kg/m3, 151.06- 533.66 kg, respectively; 43.11-129.17 pieces, 2.86-4.51 kg, 0.14 kg/cm2, 2.44-5.40 kg/m3, 208.12-587.50 kg in terms of average cultivars, respectively. In terms of yield characteristics, MC rootstock was lower than the other rootstocks; 'Akçakoca77' cultivar was also lower than the 'İstanbul' cultivar.