Articles
First observations on some pomegranate cultivars grown in a collection in central Italy
Article number
1254_9
Pages
57 – 62
Language
English
Abstract
This is a first report on the results of observations made on the fruits of a pomegranate collection located in central Italy and established by ExoticPlant nursery in Cisterna di Latina.
A renewed interest in pomegranate cultivation in Italy recently showed a rapid spread of new commercial cultivars, such as Wonderful and Acco. Hence the reason to set up a vast collection and see 1) how other cultivars would adapt to our ecology and 2) find out the ones interesting for the fresh consumption market.
Since 2014 more than 150 cultivars were introduced and placed in a same experimental field, two plants per cultivar, grown as transversal Y. The purpose of this work is to carry out a varietal screening by looking at the vegetative and pomological behavior of the plants.
In the second year of cultivation (2016) fruits of 47 cultivars were collected.
Pomological observations have focused on the Brix level, flavor and softness of the seeds.
The collected data showed a wide variability on pomological traits offered by many cultivars, including the identification of a number of red-skinned, soft seeded and good flavored cultivars that broaden the cultivar range.
Despite the young age of the plants, the collected data are very useful, being the first data, in our area, comparing many different cultivars and from different backgrounds.
A renewed interest in pomegranate cultivation in Italy recently showed a rapid spread of new commercial cultivars, such as Wonderful and Acco. Hence the reason to set up a vast collection and see 1) how other cultivars would adapt to our ecology and 2) find out the ones interesting for the fresh consumption market.
Since 2014 more than 150 cultivars were introduced and placed in a same experimental field, two plants per cultivar, grown as transversal Y. The purpose of this work is to carry out a varietal screening by looking at the vegetative and pomological behavior of the plants.
In the second year of cultivation (2016) fruits of 47 cultivars were collected.
Pomological observations have focused on the Brix level, flavor and softness of the seeds.
The collected data showed a wide variability on pomological traits offered by many cultivars, including the identification of a number of red-skinned, soft seeded and good flavored cultivars that broaden the cultivar range.
Despite the young age of the plants, the collected data are very useful, being the first data, in our area, comparing many different cultivars and from different backgrounds.
Authors
F. Cossio
Keywords
pomegranate, soft seed, cultivar, Italy
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