Clonal selection and molecular characterization of hacihaliloğlu apricot variety

Hacıhaliloğlu apricot variety is preferred by producers due to its high adaptability in cultivation, regular and abundant yield and superior quality in terms of drying properties. In addition, the high intra-variety variation has made it a focus of clone selection studies. This study was carried out in 8 districts of Malatya province between 2022-2025. In the study, 22 different Hacıhaliloğlu clones and the standard Hacıhaliloğlu variety in the Apricot Research Institute National Genetic Resources parcel selected as control were used. Morphological, phenological and fruit quality traits of the clones were evaluated in the study and genetic similarities and differences between the clones were revealed by using the DArT technique in the molecular analysis. In the morphological observations made in the study, it was observed that canopy widths varied between 380-1310 cm; canopy height between 315-1130 cm; and trunk circumference between 61-180 cm. When examined in terms of fruit quality traits, fruit width ranged from 30.37 to 42.83 mm, fruit length ranged from 30.48 to 45.04 mm, and fruit height ranged from 32.40 to 44.09 mm. Fruit weights varied between 18.89 and 51.02 g; the flesh/seed ratio varied between 11.22% and 26.54%; TSS values ranged from 22.17% to 25.63%; titratable acidity ranged from 0.28% to 0.47%; and pH values ranged from 4.4 to 7.9.When the color values were examined, the L value ranged from 51.87 to 76.50; the a value ranged from –7.47 to 10.88; the b* value ranged from 23.47 to 35.52; the C* value calculated from the color readings ranged from 23.47 to 35.96; and the Hue (h°) values were found to range from 1.18 to 178.64.As a result of the weighted ranking, clones HK2, HK4, HK7, HK8, HK10, HK11, HK15, HK16, and HK20 received higher scores than the control. The dendrogram obtained from the molecular analyses revealed that clones HK19, HK21, and HK22 were positioned distinctly away from the cluster in which the other clones were grouped. Furthermore although clones HK8, HK15, and HK20 were in the same cluster, they were the clones that exhibited the greatest genetic diversity within that cluster. It is recommended that the prominent clones be assessed for their orchard performance under the same environmental conditions.