Determination of fruit quality properties, vegetative and molecular characteristics of carob genotypes selected in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC)

This thesis study was carried out between 2013-2021 in the carob, which has a natural distribution area in TRNC, and it has a superior feature in terms of fruit and seed characteristics from the carob genotypes grown in wild and cultural form in 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 vegetation periods. The selection of the demonstrators is aimed. For this purpose, 95 carob genotypes, which were determined to be productive as well as their snack and / or industrial qualities, were selected by visiting 5 different districts of the TRNC. Phenological periods and pomological characteristics of genotypes have been determined. In addition, morphological and molecular characterizations of these genotypes have been made. Although the flowering of carob, which is an evergreen species, varies according to regions and genotypes, it starts in mid-September until the end of the month, and the harvest date starts in mid-August and continues until the first week of September. Of the selected genotypes, 26 (27,37 %) showed vertical growth, 63 (66,32 %) flat growth and 6 (6,32 %) conical growth tendency. In 2014 pomological analysis, it was observed that the fruit weights of genotypes varied between 6.56-44.60 g. In 2017, fruit weights varied between 6.06-39.71 g. When the fruit thickness value was examined in 2014, it was observed that the genotypes varied between 4.19-12.91 mm and 5.30-12.90 in 2017. It was observed that the seed weight varied between 0.85-3.70 g in 2014, depending on the genotypes, and 0.36-4.93 g in 2017. In addition, the skin color of seeds and fruits taken by chance from each selected genotype was determined by measurements with a colorimeter. L, a, b, values were measured with the colorimeter and Chroma and hue ° values are calculated. The total sugar content of the 2014 genotypes varied between 22.75 - 54.58%, and in 2017, 14.37-43.25%. In total sugar analysis, the highest sugar types were sucrose, glucose, fructose and xylose. The highest value was obtained by sucrose, depending on the genotypes. In 2014, sucrose values varied between 18.72-44.30%. As a result of SRAP analysis, it was seen that the polymorphism rate of genotypes was 100%. As a result of the weighted grading analysis, in addition to the genotypes entering the top five in terms of snack and industrial purposes, three genotypes, which were found to have very different genetic structures as a result of molecular analyzes, were found in the genetic resources parcel in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Agricultural Research Institute, Türkmenköy Research Station. Keywords: Carob, Aroma, Sugar, Molecular Characterization.