DETERMINATION OF SOME BOTANICAL, PHENOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WALNUT (JUGLANS REGIA L.) GENOTYPES GROWN IN TURKEY

Abstract

Botanical, phenological, physical and chemical characteristics of promising walnut (Juglans regia L.) genotypes grown in the Beyazsu region (Mardin) of Turkey were studied during years 2012-2013. The physical properties of genotypes were attributed to the quality criteria of nuts. Fruit weight (Fw1), kernel weight (Kw), fruit length (Fl), fruit witdh (Fw2), fruit height (Fh), kerrnel ratio (Kr) and shell thickness (St) were determined as 9.67-15.68 g, 5.35-8.54 g, 5.35-8.54 g, 33.53-45.78 mm, 28.42-37.00 mm, 28.30-36.32 mm, 48.35-67.27 \% and 0.66-1.40 mm, respectively. The kernel color (Kc) and fruit size (Fs2) were light yellow and ekstra of all the genotypes. The fruits were found to be rich in crude protein (Cp) and crude oil (Co). The total energy (Toe), moisture (Mo), total ash (Ta), crude oil (Co), crude protein (Cp) and total carbohydrate (Toc) contents were determined as 692.37-723.37 kcal., 3.11-3.98\%, 1.30-2.09\%, 62.25-68.91\%, 14.92-18.27\% and 10.21-16.15\%, respectively. Fruitful laterals (Frl) ranged from 40 to 90\% while harvest date (Hd) ranged from 10-15 September to 1-10 October. The flowering habits (Fh) observed as 6 protandrous, 6 protogynous and 2 homogamous of the promising genotypes. The results might contribute to breeding studies in order to identify better walnut genotypes, the commercial production for the farmers in the region, and healthy diets in future.