Evaluation of Genetic Variation and Heritability of Some Fruit Traits in Pomegranate Genotypes

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Behrouz Moradi Ashour ¹
• Mohammad Rabiei ²
• Behrooz Shiran ²
• Sadollah Hooshmand ³

¹ Shahrekord university

² shahrekord university

³ Shahrekord University

https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v32i4.67158

Abstract

Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., Punicaceae family), a native Iranian horticultural plant, is used as fresh fruit and also for other products and has special economic position in the world. It is estimated that pomegranate fruit production in Iran was about 900000 tons in 2016 which provinces of Fars, Markazi, Khorasan, Yazd and Isfahan had the highest production respectively. Iran is the center of diversity and most probably center of origin of Pomegranate, so during the years, many attempts have been done to collect different genotypes. The National Research Station of Pomegranate of Saveh has three set collections including 760 genotypes collected from all around of Iran. Assessment of genetic variation among these genotypes to use in breeding programs should be considered as first priority. Researchers use different methods to measure genetic diversity of plants including DNA markers, isozymes and morphological traits. Using morphological characteristics that are easily measured and have high heritability is a convenient tool to assess the amount of genetic diversity of plants.
Material and Methods: In order to determine genetic variation and heritability on morpho-pomological traits, pomegranate genotypes were selected from different habitats of Iran that are already planted in the collection of National Research Station of Pomegranate of Saveh in 2016. Genotypes that had similar descriptor or genotypes that had not sufficient fruit to get involved in the experiment, were excluded. Selected genotypes (156 genotypes) were evaluated based on a completely randomized design with three replications using nine morphological traits including length of calyx, width of calyx, number of seed in 100-gram aril, thickness of peel, weight of fruit, length of fruit, width of fruit, weight of peel, weight of aril. Biochemical characteristics of fruit including total soluble solids, titrable acidity, maturity index, pH, EC, anthocyanincontain and absorbable color of juice were measured for each genotype without replication (five fruit were selected randomly for each genotype). Statistical analyses including analysis of variance, correlation coefficient, and broad sense heritability, phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were estimated using SAS 9.0 software.
Results and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that the effect of genotypes in each trait is highly significant (p-value=0.01), indicating a wide variation among these genotypes. Considering range for each trait reveals remarkable differences between genotypes especially for number of seed in 100-gram aril and anthocyanin content. Results showed that among 9 morphological traits, aril seed (g 100 aril-1) and peel thickness, also among 7 chemical traits, anthocyanin content, absorbable color of juice and maturity index had the highest variation. The most positive and significant correlation coefficients was observed between fruits weight with length and diameter of fruit, length and diameter of calyx, aril weight, seed number (g 100 aril-1) and peel thickness. Correlation between qualitative and quantitative traits were not significant. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed on fruit weight, peel thickness, seed number (g 100 aril-1) and aril weight. A high broad sense heritability was observed for aril weight (g 100 aril-1), fruit weight and peel thickness.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was a high genetic variation among genotypes for most traits. As it was expected, Iranian collection of pomegranate is a rich source for this plant and highly supporter for other breeding researches. High correlation coefficient of fruit weight with other morphological traits is useful for early selection of high performance genotypes. For instant, genotypes with high diameter of calyx most probably will produce high yield. There was not statistically significant correlation between morphological and biochemical characteristics. That is to say genotypes with low yield should not be excluded in further research programs because of their beneficial biochemical traits; they can be involved in crosses with high yield genotypes to improve their biochemical characteristics. Pomnograte genotypes with good quality traits are also useful for industrial, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical purposes. Results of our experiment indicate that due high broad sense heritability of aril weight, fruit weight, peel thickness and aril weight, environmental effect on these traits is less than genetic effect. Therefore, selection based on these traits could successfully be used to improve genetic base of pomegranate genotypes in the next generations. Also based on the results of this research Hasteriz- Shahdad and Domaze- Izeh genotypes were the best for soft seed, color and flavor fruit.
 

Keywords

• Broad sense heritability
• Correlation
• Genetic variation
• Pomegranate

20.1001.1.20084730.1397.32.4.6.1

References

1- Ahmadi K., Gholizadeh H., Bahadorzadeh H., Hatami F., Hoseinpour R., Kazemifard R., and Abdshah H. 2016. Agricultural statistics. Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, Iran. (In Persian)

2- Akbarpour V., Hemmati K., and Sharifani M. 2009. Physical and chemical properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit in maturation stage, American-Eurasian Journal of Agricaltura and Environmental Science, 6(4): 411-416.

3- Al-Maiman S.A., and Ahmad D. 2002. Changes in physical and chemical properties during pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit maturation, Food Chemistry, 76: 437-441.

4- Alighourchi H., Barzegar M., and Soleiman A. 2007. Anthocyanins characterization of 15 Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties and their variation after cold storage and pasteurization. European Food Research and Technology, 227(3): 881-887.

5- Amoros A., P. Melgarejo J., Hernandez F., and Martinez J. 1997. Characterization of the fruit of five pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) clones cultivated in homogeneous soils. Universidal Miguel Hernandez, Spain.

6- Awamleh H., Hassawi D., Migdadi H., and Brake M. 2009. Molecular characterization of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) landraces grown in Jordan using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Biotechnology, 83: 316- 322.

7- Bahaarvand N. 2012. Study of biochemical and morphological traits of Pomegranate cultivars in Zanjan Province. 7th Horticultural Sciences Congress, Isfahan university of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. (In Persian)

8- Barzegar M., Fadavi A., and Azizi T.M. H. 2004. Evaluation of physico-chemical composition of cultivated pomegranates in Yazd. Iranian Journal of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, 1(2): 9-14. (In Persian)

9- Basaki T., Khayam Nekouei M., Choukanand R., and Mardi M. 2016. Evaluation of Iranian pomegranate collection using simple sequence repeat and morphological traits. Crop Breeding Journal, 67-78.

10- Borochov-Neori H., Lazarovitch N., Judeinstein S., Patil B.S., and Holland D. 2011. Climate and salinity effects on health promoting and color properties in the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit arils, p. 43-61. In: S. Bhimanagouda et al. (ed.) Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Flavors, Color, and Health Benefits. American Chemistry Sociaty.

11- Caliskan O., and Bayazit S. 2013. Morpho-pomological and Chemical Diversity of Pomegranate Accessions Grown in Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 15: 1449-1460.

12- Farshadfar E. 1997. Methodology of plant breeding. Razi university of Kermanshah. Iran. (In Persian)

13- Faten Z., and. Mars M. 2011. Diversity among Tunisian pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars as assessed by pomological and chemical traits. International journal of Fruit Science, 11(2): 151-166.

14- Fawole O.A., Opara U.L., and Theron K.I. 2011. Chemical and phytochemical properties and antioxidant activities of three pomegranate cultivars grown in South Africa. Food Bioprocess Technology, 5(7): 1-7.

15- Fawole O.A., and Opara U.L. 2013 Changes in physical properties, chemical and elemental composition and antioxidant capacity of pomegranate (cv. Ruby) fruit at five maturity stages. Scientia Horticulturae, 150: 37-46.

16- Garcia-Tejero I., Jimenez-Bocanegra J.A., Martinez G., Romero R., Duran Zuazoand V.H., and Muriel-Fernandez J. 2010. Positive impact of regulated deficit irrigation on yield and fruit quality in a commercial citrus orchard (Citrus sinensis L.) Osbeck, cv. Salustiano. Agricultural Water Management, 97(5): 614-622.

17- Imtiyaz A.W, Bhat M.Y., Banday F.A., Khan I.A., Hassan G.I., Abid A.L., and Bhat T.A. 2012. Correlation studies of morphological and economic traits in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Plant Architect, 12: 943–946.

18- Jaiswal V., Der Marderosianand A., and Porter J.R. 2009. Anthocyanins and polyphenol oxidase from dried arils of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Food Chemistry, 118: 11-16.

19- Karimi H.R., and Mirdehghan S.H. 2013. Correlation between the morphological characters of pomegranate (Punica granatum) traits and their implications for breeding. Turkish Journal of Botany, 37(2): 355-362.

20- 20-Kulkarni A.P., and Aradhya S.M. 2005. Chemical changes and antioxidant activity in pomegranate arils during fruit development. Food Chemistry, 93: 319–324.

21- Mars M., and Marrakchi M. 1999. Diversity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) germplasm in Tunisia. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 46: 461–467.

22- Melgarejo P., Martinez-Nicolas J.J., and Martinez-Tome J. 2000. Evolution of pomegranate juice anthocyanins during the ripening of fruit of three clones: ME16, VA1 and BA1. Options Mediterraneennes: Serie A. Seminaires Mediterraneens, 42: 123-127.

23- Mir M.M., Sofi A.A., Singh D.B., and Khan F.U. 2007. Evaluation of pomegranate cultivars under temperate conditions of Kashmir Valley. Indian Journal Horticulture, 64: 150–154.

24- Mirdehghan S.H., and Rahemi M. 2007. Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients and phenolics in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit. Scientia Horticulture, 111: 120–127.

25- Mohammadi S.A., and Prasanna B.M. 2003. Analysis of genetic diversity in crop plants- Salient statistical tools and considerations. Crop Science, 43: 1235-1248.

26- Morton J. 1987. Fruits of warm climates. Miami FL, USA.

27- Mousavinejad G, Emam-Djomeh Z., Rezaei K., and Haddad Khodaparast M.H. 2009. Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds and their effects on antioxidant activity in pomegranate juices of eight Iranian cultivars. Food Chemistry, 115: 1274–1278.

28- Muradoglu F., Fikret Balta M., and Ozrenk K. 2006. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genetic resources from Hakkari, Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 2: 520-525.

29- Pour-Siahbidi M.M., Hoseinzadeh J., PourAboghadareh A.R., Bazdar A., and Naseri Rad H. 2013. Character association and path analysis of soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes under water deficit stress. International Journal of Biosciences, 3(10): 126-132.

30- Sadeghian Motahar Y., and Jamali H. 2009. National Instruction of uniformity, distinctive and stability in pomegranate. Seed and Plant Certification of Registration Institute. (In Persian)

31- Sarkhosh A., Zmani Z., Fatahi R., and Ebadi A. 2006. RAPD Markers reveal polymorphism among some Iranian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes. Science Direct Scientia Herticultural, 111: 24-29.

32- Sepahvand M. 2012. Evaluating of genetic variation some of pomegranate genotypes in province Lorestan. MSc Thesis Lorestan University. (In Persian)

33- Shahrbabaki-Behzadi H. 2012. Variation and dispersion of pomegranate cultivars in Iran. Publication of Agricultural Education. (In Persian)

34- Volkan O., Akca Y., Ercisli S., and SGozlekci. 2015. Genotype selection for physico-chemical fruit traits in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) In Turkey. Acta Science, 14(2): 123-132.

35- Zaarei A., and Azizi M. 2011. Evaluating of some of physical and chemical of six fruit cultivars in Iran. Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 24(2): 33-48. (In Persian)

36- Zarkti H., Ouabbou H., Hilali A., and Udupa S.M. 2010. Detection of genetic diversity in moroccan durum wheat accessions using agro-morphological traits and microsatellite markers. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(14): 1837-1844.