Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2003, 30(4):123-128 | DOI: 10.17221/3874-HORTSCI

Six-year evaluation of selected traits of fruit colour and their interdependences in a set of 24 apricot genotypes

Z. Vachůn

Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Faculty of Horticulture, Lednice, Czech Republic

These traits of fruit colour were evaluated in 24 apricot genotypes for six years: basic colour, overcolour, flesh colour and attractiveness. The evaluation involved variability of colour traits and correlations between these traits in a six-year period. The evaluated genotypes were significantly different in colour traits; it will facilitate the selection of commercially interesting genotypes. Highly significant correlation coefficients (r = 0.56⁺⁺ to r = 0.96⁺⁺) were calculated for the rank of the values of particular traits in 1994-1999; it confirmed that the traits are genetically conditioned. As for the correlations between the traits, the closest correlation was found out between basic colour of fruit and flesh colour (r = 0.53⁺⁺ to r = 0.96⁺⁺) and between basic colour and overcolour (r = 0.45⁺⁺ to r = 0.65⁺⁺). In the six-year period fruit attractiveness showed the lowest variability expressed by average coefficient of variation (v = 14.98%) while fruit overcolour had the highest variability (v = 41.14%). The coefficients of variation for basic colour and flesh colour were at a medium level. Harogem and Harlayne were the most interesting varieties by their colour traits. Among the registered and most frequently grown varieties in the CR it was Velkopavlovická LE-6/2. The varieties Lednická M-90-A and Vynoslivyj were the most promising for producers by their colour.

Keywords: apricot; genotypes; traits of fruit colour; variability; correlations

Published: December 31, 2003  Show citation