Phenotypic and Physicochemical Assessment of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Genotypes Grown in Moroccan Zegzel Valley

© 2022 Friends Science PublishersLoquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl] is a very important commercial crop in Morocco, which request a considerable interest in its genetic improvement. In this context, the phenotypic and physicochemical parameters of 34 genotypes, belonging to the main loquat crop area, were analyzed. Indeed, the results obtained showed a large phenotypic and physicochemical variability of loquat genotypes studied. The fruit weight fluctuated between 17.1–68.07 g, while the average weight of seed varied from 1.5 to 3.62 g. These criteria are considered suitable for the market and the breeding program. Concerning the pH, the total soluble solids and the titratable acidity results, they were 2.69–4.15, 6.55–15.7 °Brix and 2.18– 14.91 g.L-1 of malic acid respectively. In addition, the correlation analysis revealed that the fruit weight is positively correlated with the fruit length (r = 0.77), the fruit width (r = 0. 97) and the fruit thickness (r = 0.95). The PCA results showed that the traits related to fruit weight and size are the most discriminant. Moreover, the cluster analysis allowed to classify the 34 genotypes into 4 homogeneous groups independently of their geographic origin. In this study the loquat genotypes exhibited a great richness which opens the way for the conservation strategies and selection of efficient genotypes with the desired characteristics to be propagated vegetatively