Fruiting and kernel production characteristics of ten Mediterranean carob cultivars grown in northeastern Spain.

摘要

Carob bean gum is extracted from pod seed and used as a stabilizer and thickener by the food industry. Identification of carob cultivars which produce high seed yields in northeastern Spain and similar environments would be of interest to growers. Vegetative, fruiting and pod characteristics of 6 carob cultivars from Spain (A-19, Bugadera, Gastor-1, Gaucin-1, Sayalonga, Rojal), 3 from Portugal (Aida, Galhosa, Mulata) and 1 from Itlay (Albarcara) were determined in a rainfed (500 mm average) trial conducted in Spain. cv. Rojal and Mulata produced the largest pods (>20 g of fruit wt.) and lowest kernel content (10-12%) while cv. Gaucin-1 and Albarcara produced the smallest fruits and highest kernel content (14.8 and 20.6%, respectively). Results suggest these cultivars appear to be the best for planting new carob orchards.