WALNUT BIODIVERSITY IN SOUTH-WESTERN ROMANIA-RESOURCE FOR PERSPECTIVE CULTIVARS

Abstract

Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae) germplasm from the Oltenia region, located in the South Western part of Romania, was evaluated to determine the variability in walnut germplasm and to identify the promising material. Important pomological and phenological characteristics were found in native trees which were of seedling origin. Variability found in nut weight was between 6.8-18.4g, in kernel weight between 1.7-8.79g, in weight kernel/weight nut ratio between 23.6- 71.7%. Nut size, bud breaking time, nut maturity time and phenological characteristics were also evaluated. The data obtained have indicated that walnut trees studied in this region have recorded the occurrence of high variations in fruit characteristics that indicate the higher potential in selecting new genotypes of material under study.