Phenotypic diversity of natural populations of Prunus armeniaca L. according to flower traits

The main regularities of variability of discrete flower traits associated with high-altitudinal propagation in Dagestan conditions are revealed.
An analysis of the frequencies of natural apricot populations in Mountain Dagestan revealed that the flower color varies from pure white to pink, which are grouped into four classes (pure white, almost white, pale pink and pink) with a dominance of white (81.6%). With the height above sea level, the percentage of white-flowered forms increases from 60.0 to 96.7%. The number of petals inside trees varies from 4 to 10, where five petals were 77.5%. Single trees have been identified for which double flowers (6-7 petals and more) are genetically determined.
A survey of apricot flowers in natural populations showed that within a single plant, the percentage of aborted flowers on a tree can reach up to 85%. The number of stamens in flowers varies from 22 to 41. The highest percentage of observations is in the range of 24-36, their total share being 97.1%. In trees with double flowers (more than 5 petals), the number of stamens in general has an overestimated number.

IV Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing

D. Anatov

Prunus armeniaca L., flowers, natural populations, qualitative traits, discrete traits, high-altitude gradient, Dagestan

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1289.33