Phenotypic and Genetic Variation in Medlar Germplasm Based on Morphological, Chemical, and Leaf Traits Using Multivariate Analysis Phänotypische und genetische Variation in Mispel-Genressourcen auf Grundlage morphologischer, chemischer und Blattmerkmale
Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg: Journal of Viticulture, Oenology, Pomology and Fruit Processing, cilt.76, sa.3, ss.186-201, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 76 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.2478/mittklbg-2026-0012
- Dergi Adı: Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg: Journal of Viticulture, Oenology, Pomology and Fruit Processing
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.186-201
- Anahtar Kelimeler: agro-morphological traits, genetic resource, heritability, Mespilus germanica L., principal component analysis
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) is an underutilized fruit with notable nutritional benefits; however, limited data on its phenotypic diversity restrict germplasm conservation and breeding efforts. This study characterized the morphological, chemical, color, and leaf traits of 101 naturally growing medlar genotypes from Türkiye's West Black Sea region. Morphometric measurements, chemical analyses, ImageJ for leaf traits, and statistical methods, including ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), and heritability estimates (h2), revealed significant variation across traits. High heritability was observed for fruit length (0.71), volume (0.68), and weight (0.66), indicating strong genetic control. Conversely, seed number (0.02), leaf length (0.07), and titratable acidity (0.05) were predominantly influenced by environmental factors. Fruit weight exhibited broad ranges (7.67-37.70 g); soluble solids content (SSC) 8.53-20.40 °brix; pH 3.72-4.70; and TA 1.08-3.15. Correlations showed a negative relationship between titratable acidity and fruit size. PCA explained 78.9% of the variation, and cluster analysis (CA) identified three distinct genotype groups. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic diversity of medlar, offering a foundation for targeted breeding and conservation strategies to enhance fruit quality.