Determination of the physico-chemical and bioactive compounds of some pomegranate cultivars and local genotypes grown in Middle Sakarya River Basin

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a perennial plant belonging to the Punicaceae family, is a durable fruit tree that can grow in hot and temperate climates as well as in semi-arid climates. It needs sufficient sunlight and well-drained soil to grow optimally. It is known that the nativeland of pomegranate includes regions such as the Caucasus, Anatolia, Afghanistan, South Asia, Iran and India. Our country has rich pomegranate genetic resources. More than 300 pomegranate varieties and genotypes are protected in land gene banks within the Ministry of Agriculture. Türkiye ranks 4th in world pomegranate production after India, Iran and China. In our country, it is grown mainly in the Mediterranean Region, Aegean and Southeastern Anatolia Regions. The aim of this research is to determine the physico-chemical and bioactive components of some pomegranate varieties and local genotypes grown in the Middle Sakarya basin. For this purpose, fruit samples were taken from 3 local pomegranate genotypes as well as Hicaznar, Özbek narı, 20N02 and 33N52 pomegranate genotypes from Sarıcakaya district of Eskişehir province in 2023 and their pomological and biochemical properties were determined. As a result of the research, it was determined that the pomological and physico-chemical properties of 7 pomegranate genotypes showed a wide distribution. Among the genotypes examined in the ecological conditions of the Middle Sakarya Basin, Hicaznar and 33N52 genotypes were found to be successful.