COLLECTION AND EVALUATION OF WILD POMEGRANATES SPREAD IN AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

In our study, wild forms of P.granatum L., one of two species of the genus Punica, were used. This study was carried out on wild-growing pomegranate genotypes distributed on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2015-2018. The research work was carried out by studying the genotypes of wild pomegranates common in the region, taking into account such criteria as regular high yield, strong vegetative growth, sufficient flowering, abundant fruiting, short flowering period, disease resistance and lack of fruit cracking. After appropriate genotypes were selected, each genotype was labeled. In the period from September to November, when the fruits reached sufficient acidity, the harvesting period was determined, during the harvesting period, five fruit samples were taken from the tree for each identified genotype and a pomological analysis was performed. The physical properties of the fruits were evaluated by a graded evaluation method. Fruit mass, fruit diameter, calyx diameter, fruit height, calyx height, fruit shape index, calyx index, rind thickness, rind mass, rind length, rind width, mass of 100 rinds, juice yield, sugar, acidity, rind color, rind the proportion to the mass of the fruit was determined. In the research work, an assessment was made of five samples of fruits taken from the wild-growing genotype of the pomegranate, common on the territory of our republic, and the average values of these indicators were calculated. It has been established that the mass of the fruit is 65-90 g, the height of the fruit is from 40 to 60 mm, the diameter of the fruit is 43-68 mm, the volume of juice is 25-35 ml, the weight of 100 gills ranges from 15-26 g. When assessing the taste of fruits of genotypes, it was found that all genotypes are sour. In the study of the color of the fruit peel, it was found that 10 genotypes are light pink, 32 genotypes are pink, 20 genotypes are bluish, 8 genotypes are yellow, 10 genotypes are greenish-yellow, 10 genotypes are red. According to another pomological trait of seed hardness, the seeds of all genotypes were hard. The genotypes of wild pomegranate studied by us were highly appreciated in terms of the size of the fruit, the volume of fruit juice, and can be recommended as preferred in the production of punicic acid