Pomological characteristics of selected promising mulberry genotypes (Morus sp.) from Northeast Anatolia

During 2004-2006, a survey conducted on mulberries aimed to select and characterize promising genotypes naturally grown in Northeastern district of Erzurum province. In the study, a total of 26 superior mulberry accessions were selected and pomological characteristics were investigated. Among the 26 superior selected genotypes, average fruit weight varied from 1.77 g (Oltu18, Morus rubra) to 5.67 g (Oltu58, Morus nigra). Fruit length ranged from 20.22 mm (Oltu18, Morus rubra) to 30.49 mm (Olur49, Morus alba) and fruit width from 11.64 mm (Oltu18, Morus rubra) to 19.42 mm (Oltu58, Morus nigra). The lowest and highest juice ratio was recovered from 29.63% (Oltu58, Morus nigra) to 75.72% (Oltu32, Morus alba). Soluble solid content of accessions ranged from 15.3% (Oltu58, Morus nigra) to 22.0% (Oltu13, Morus alba) with the average of 18.2%. Ascorbic acid content was between 11.2 (Oltu18, Morus rubra) and 19.2 mg/100 ml (Olurl, Morus alba). The results showed that there were a high diversity on most pomological characteristics of mulberry accessions in this region and these genotypes are preserved for future breeding activities as parental material.