Physicochemical and molecular characterization of hawthorn genetic resources (Crataegus spp.) from Bolu province

In this study, pomological, biochemical and molecular characterization of genotypes belonging to two hawthorn species of Bolu (Crataegus tanacetifolia (Poir.) Pers. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. var. monogyna) were performed. Pomological traits of C. tanacetifolia, such as fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length and core weight were higher than those recorded in C. monogyna. Highest fruit weight (4.20g) was found in 14BL05 while lowest (0.29g) was noted in 14BL07. Maximum values of SSC, pH and acidity were observed in 14BL01 (32.00 %), 14BL25 (5.20) ve 14BL05 (3.90 %) genotypes, respectively. In addition, pomological properties such as color (L, a, b, C, H), volume, stalk length and width were also recorded in the present study. Citric acid was the most predominant acid followed by malic and succinic acid in organic acids of the genotypes of both species. Highest citric acid contents (26.745 g 100 g-1 ) was noted in 14BL09 genotype while lowest (3.711 g 100 g-1) in genotype "14BL15". Ascorbic acid was found in lower contents compared with other organic acids and its contents varied between 2.681-9.621 mg 100 g-1. Among all studied phenolic compunds, catechin contents was found higher while syringic acid was lowest. Catechin, chlorogenic, caffeic and routine contents were found as 4.14-51.393 mg 100 g-1, 2.254-42.361 mg 100 g-1, 0.624-4.407 mg 100 g-1 and 1.241- 10.029 mg 100 g-1, respectively. The iPBS retrotransposon markers were used for the first time in the molecular characterization of hawthorn genotypes. The marker system provided very useful information for revealing the genetic differences of the genotypes and two main clusters were found within the genotypes according to their species. As a result, it has been determined that 25 genotypes belonging to different hawthorn species are important genetic resources to be evaluated in horticultural breeding studies in terms of their physical and biochemical contents. Keywords: Hawthorn, phenolic compounds, organic acids, iPBS, retrotransposon, pomology