Assessment of physico-biochemical parameters of Moroccan loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) genotypes using multivariate analysis

The present study was conducted to assess the physico-biochemical variability in 35 genotypes of loquat using multivariate analyses, in order to provide efficient criteria and promising genotypes for the loquat genetic breeding program. Mature fruits were collected from 35 loquat genotypes, belonging to the Zegzel valley, were subjected to physico-biochemical analyses. The results revealed a juice yield ranging from 0.21 to 0.65 g/g FW, and a polyphenols content fluctuating from 322.8 to 366.89 µg GAE. g-1 DM. Regarding DPPH test, with a range of 3.35 and 7.6 µmol TE. g-1 DM, showed a positive correlation with total polyphenol content (r2= 0.76) and flavonoid content (r2= 0.72). Moreover, a negative correlation was recorded between the total soluble solids content and juice yield (r2=- 0.47), which was moderately correlated with vitamin C (r2= 0.59). In addition, the components analysis results revealed a significant and independent contribution of bio-physicochemicalcharacteristics in the loquat variation. Indeed, biochemical characteristics contribute to PC1, while, physicochemical parameters contribute to PC2 and PC3. Furthermore, the hierarchical clustering analysis classified the 35 genotypes into four homogeneous groups independently of their geographic origin. According to these findings, the genotypes T9, T12, Z16, Z17 and TA9 exhibited high total sugar content, while, genotypes T9 and T11 provide high carotenoids, flavonoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity level. As results, these genotypes can be directly recommended for the vegetative propagation as well as applied along with the efficient characters in future loquat breeding programs

Peculiaritats al·lèliques del locus <em>S</em> de les cultivars mallorquines d’ametller

The examination of the allelic diversity of the locus <em>S</em> in ten almond cultivars from Majorca has shown the presence of the <em>S_f</em> allele in four of them, as well as the presence of five new alleles non identified so far. Although the <em>S_f</em> allele has been described as responsible for the expression of self-compatibility in almond, it has been recently shown that this allele has two different phenotypic expressions. As a consequence, this allele cannot be always considered an index for self-compatibility of the genotypes harbouring it. The study of the four Majorcan cultivars possessing this allele has confirmed their selfincompatibility, showing that this allele is in its phenotypically active form, as it has been also observed in a group of cultivars from southern Italy, a fact possibly suggesting a connexion between these two Mediterranean almond populations.<br><br>El examen de la diversidad alélica del locus <em>S</em> en diez cultivares mallorquines de almendro ha mostrado la presencia del alelo <em>S_f</em> en cuatro de ellos, así como la presencia de cinco nuevos alelos no identificados hasta ahora. Aunque el alelo <em>S_f</em> se ha descrito como responsable de la expresión de la autocompatibilidad del almendro, recientemente se ha descubierto que tiene dos expresiones fenotípicas diferentes, por lo que no siempre se puede considerar un índice de la autocompatibilidad de los genotipos que lo presentan. El estudio de los cuatro cultivares mallorquines que presentan este alelo ha confirmado su autoincompatibilidad, de manera que este alelo se expresa en estos cultivares en su forma fenotípicamente activa, como también se ha comprobado en un grupo de cultivares del sur de Italia, lo que podría indicar una conexión entre estas dos poblaciones mediterráneas de almendro. [ca] L’examen de la diversitat al·lèlica del locus <em>S</em> en deu cultivars mallorquines d’ametller ha mostrat la presència de l’al·lel <em>S_f</em> en quatre, així com la presència de cinc al·lels nous fins ara no identificats. Encara que l’al·lel <em>S_f</em> s’ha descrit com a responsable de l’expressió de l’autocompatibilitat de l’ametller, fa poc que s’ha descobert que té dues expressions fenotípiques diferents, pel que no sempre es pot considerar un índex de l’autocompatibilitat dels genotips que el tenen. L’estudi de les quatre cultivars mallorquines que presenten aquest al·lel ha confirmat la seva autoincompatibilitat, de manera que aquest al·lel s’hi expressa en la seva forma fenotípicament activa, com també s’ha comprovat en un grup de cultivars del sud d’Itàlia, fet que podria indicar una connexió entre aquestes dues poblacions mediterrànies d’ametller

Erratic fruit set in almond under warm climates

The cause for the erratic yields of the two main almond cultivars grown in Morocco has been searched in order to recommend possible solutions for a high and stable production. The lack of sufficient bloom overlap between ‘Marcona’ and ‘Fournat de Brézenaud’ in many years may be one of the reasons of this erratic behavior, but not the only one, as the same behaviour may be observed in two simultaneously blooming cultivars, ‘Ferragnès’ and ‘Ferraduel’. The relatively high temperatures observed during the blooming periodsignificantly reduced the stigma receptivity of these cultivars and, as a consequence, their effective pollination period, showing that stigmatic receptivity is a limiting factor for fruit set in ‘Marcona’ and ‘Ferragnès’ and their subsequent yield reduction under warm conditions. Thus, in the present context of global warming, the search for cultivars tolerant to heat stress during flowering will acquire a special interest, as well as the combination of cultivars with the same chilling and heat requirements to ensure a simultaneous bloom

Erratic fruit set in almond under warm climates

The cause for the erratic yields of the two main almond cultivars grown in Morocco has been searched in order to recommendpossible solutions for a high and stable production. The lack of sufficient bloom overlap between ‘Marcona’ and ‘Fournat de Brézenaud’in many years may be one of the reasons of this erratic behavior, but not the only one, as the same behaviour may be observed in twosimultaneously blooming cultivars, ‘Ferragnès’ and ‘Ferraduel’. The relatively high temperatures observed during the blooming periodsignificantly reduced the stigma receptivity of these cultivars and, as a consequence, their effective pollination period, showing that stigmaticreceptivity is a limiting factor for fruit set in ‘Marcona’ and ‘Ferragnès’ and their subsequent yield reduction under warm conditions. Thus, inthe present context of global warming, the search for cultivars tolerant to heat stress during flowering will acquire a special interest, as wellas the combination of cultivars with the same chilling and heat requirements to ensure a simultaneous bloom

Protein Content and Oil Composition of Almond from Moroccan Seedlings: Genetic Diversity, Oil Quality and Geographical Origin

The protein and oil content and the fatty acid profile of the kernels of selected almond genotypes from four different Moroccan regions were determined in order to evaluate the kernel quality of the plant material of these different regions. The ranges of oil content (48.7–64.5 % of kernel DW), oleic (61.8–80.2 % of total oil), linoleic (11.4–27.0 %), palmitic (5.6–7.7 %), stearic (1.3–3.1 %), and palmitoleic (0.4–0.9 %) acid percentages agreed with previous results of other almond genotypes, but the protein content (14.1–35.1 % of kernel DW) showed that some genotypes had higher values than any previously recorded in almond. Some genotypes from mountainous regions showed kernels with very high oil content as well as high and consistent oleic and linoleic ratio, establishing a possible differentiation according to the geographical origin. These differences may allow establishing a geographical denomination for almond products. In terms of genetic diversity, oleic and linoleic acids were confirmed to be the most variable components of almond oil chemical composition among genotypes. Additionally, the genotypes with extreme favorable values, such as high protein content, could be incorporated into an almond breeding program aiming at an increase in kernel quality.Peer ReviewedPrunus amygdalusProtein contentOil contentFatty acidsQualityGenetic resourcesBreedingPublishe

Evaluation of the chemical and nutritional properties of tunisian almond cultivars

The aim of this research was to evaluate for the first time protein, oil content, fatty acid profile and sugar composition for the main commercial almond cultivars in Tunisia in comparison to foreigners. Thus, fruits from twelve locals and five introduced cultivars from France, Italy and Spain were analyzed over two years. In fact, total oil content varied from 52.28% ("Blanco") to 60.95% ("Lsen Asfour") in the first year and from 47.75% ("Zahaaf") to 56.15% ("Mahsouna") in the second. However, the highest oleic acid content was noted in "Francoli" (76.2%) for both years. It was followed by "Sahnoun" (75.11%) firstly and "Abiodh" (73.02%) secondly. Likewise, the highest linoleic acid content was observed in "Porto" for both studied years (22.87% and 23.67%). The highest palmitic acid content was detected in "Porto" (7.02%) and in "Tuono" for the consecutive years. Sugars profile was quite distinctive among cultivars. The cultivar "Porto" presented the highest total sugars (5.8 g/100g DW) and sucrose contents (4.96 g/100g DW). Nevertheless, protein content doesn"t show extreme values. For both years, the local cultivar "Zahaaf" presented the highest protein content (27 g/100g DW) while introduced French cultivar "Fournat de Breznaud" presented the lowest protein content (17 g/100g DW). All the analyzed components were different significantly according to cultivar and year effects. Results evidenced that the local Tunisian cultivars are highly rich in oil and fatty acids particularly oleic and linoleic acids, confirm the almond kernel as a high nutritional dietetic source and underline the high adaptability of some introduction

Peculiaritats al·lèliques del locus S de les cultivars mallorquines d’ametller

The examination of the allelic diversity of the locus S in ten almond cultivars from Majorca has shown the presence of the Sf allele in four of them, as well as the presence of five new alleles non identified so far. Although the Sf allele has been described as responsible for the expression of self-compatibility in almond, it has been recently shown that this allele has two different phenotypic expressions. As a consequence, this allele cannot be always considered an index for self-compatibility of the genotypes harbouring it. The study of the four Majorcan cultivars possessing this allele has confirmed their selfincompatibility, showing that this allele is in its phenotypically active form, as it has been also observed in a group of cultivars from southern Italy, a fact possibly suggesting a connexion between these two Mediterranean almond populations.El examen de la diversidad alélica del locus S en diez cultivares mallorquines de almendro ha mostrado la presencia del alelo Sf en cuatro de ellos, así como la presencia de cinco nuevos alelos no identificados hasta ahora. Aunque el alelo Sf se ha descrito como responsable de la expresión de la autocompatibilidad del almendro, recientemente se ha descubierto que tiene dos expresiones fenotípicas diferentes, por lo que no siempre se puede considerar un índice de la autocompatibilidad de los genotipos que lo presentan. El estudio de los cuatro cultivares mallorquines que presentan este alelo ha confirmado su autoincompatibilidad, de manera que este alelo se expresa en estos cultivares en su forma fenotípicamente activa, como también se ha comprobado en un grupo de cultivares del sur de Italia, lo que podría indicar una conexión entre estas dos poblaciones mediterráneas de almendro. [ca] L’examen de la diversitat al·lèlica del locus S en deu cultivars mallorquines d’ametller ha mostrat la presència de l’al·lel Sf en quatre, així com la presència de cinc al·lels nous fins ara no identificats. Encara que l’al·lel Sf s’ha descrit com a responsable de l’expressió de l’autocompatibilitat de l’ametller, fa poc que s’ha descobert que té dues expressions fenotípiques diferents, pel que no sempre es pot considerar un índex de l’autocompatibilitat dels genotips que el tenen. L’estudi de les quatre cultivars mallorquines que presenten aquest al·lel ha confirmat la seva autoincompatibilitat, de manera que aquest al·lel s’hi expressa en la seva forma fenotípicament activa, com també s’ha comprovat en un grup de cultivars del sud d’Itàlia, fet que podria indicar una connexió entre aquestes dues poblacions mediterrànies d’ametller

Reproductive biology traits affecting productivity of sour cherry

The objective of this work was to evaluate variability in reproductive biology traits and the correlation between them in genotypes of 'Oblacinska' sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). High genetic diversity was found in the 41 evaluated genotypes, and significant differences were observed among them for all studied traits: flowering time, pollen germination, number of fruiting branches, production of flower and fruit, number of flowers per bud, fruit set, and limb yield efficiency. The number of fruiting branches significantly influenced the number of flower and fruit, fruit set, and yield efficiency. In addition to number of fruiting branches, yield efficiency was positively correlated with fruit set and production of flower and fruit. Results from principal component analysis suggested a reduction of the reproductive biology factors affecting yield to four main characters: number and structure of fruiting branches, flowering time, and pollen germination. Knowledge of the reproductive biology of the 'Oblacinska' genotypes can be used to select the appropriate ones to be grown or used as parents in breeding programs. In this sense, genotypes II/2, III/9, III/13, and III/14 have very good flower production and satisfactory pollen germination

Physical Fruit Traits in Moroccan Almond Seedlings: Quality Aspects and Post-Harvest Uses

The physical traits of local almond populations from Morocco were studied to characterize their genetic resources and to evaluate the possibility of their commercial valorization. Nut weight ranged between 1.15 and 7.39 g, and kernel weight between 0.54 and 1.85 g, but most accessions were characterized by small kernels, pronounced wrinkles, and double kernels. Although the physical quality of the kernels of these populations was low, they show the possibility of some specialized uses, which could improve their marketable value. The genotypes with favorable values could be incorporated into an almond breeding program as parents to increase the kernel quality.Publishe

Genetic analysis for physical nut traits in almond

Peer ReviewedPublishe