Some morphological and fruit characteristics of naturally grown Pyrus elaeagrifolia Pall. of Kayseri Province (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

摘要

Rapid increase in human populations and consequent increase in agricultural activities and infrastructures to feed such huge populations have brought several naturally-grown wild fruit species face to face with extinction. Wild pears (Pyrus elaeagrifolia Pall.-oleaster-leafed pear) are naturally grown in Kayseri and surrounding nature of Anatolia and traditionally consumed as fruit. These wild fruits are also under the threat of extinction. They are locally called as "Ahlat". Since, there aren't any, the present study deals with the morphological and pomological characteristics of these wild fruits. Initial observations yielded that wild pears of Kayseri Province were mostly populated over the valleys in Talas, Talas-Koscagiz, Sariz, Sariz-Tufanbeyli (Adana Province) border and they widespread over these valleys. Pomological analyses yielded the fruit weights as between 27.09 (38-AK-003) and 4.71 g (38-TA-002); fruit lengths as between 36.14 mm (38-AK-003) and 17.26 mm (38-TA-002); fruit widths as between 36.55 mm (38-TO-004) and 20.82 mm (38-SA-013); fruit pedicle lengths as between 24.23 mm (38-SA-012) and 6.89 mm (38-TA-014); water soluble dry matter contents as between 20.00 % (38-TA-016) and 10.00 % (38-TA-001). Significant variations were observed in morphological characteristics of oleaster-leafed pear genotypes through pomological analyses and field observations. Our results may provide useful information for management of wild pear genetic resources.