Kernel Characteristics of the Almond Genotypes Selected in Northern Serbia

Abstract

This study was initiated to determine morphological and pomological traits, together with chemical compounds of kernels from 19 almond genotypes selected in the spontaneous seedling population in northern Serbia. The lowest variation was obtained for dry matter (CV=0.5%) and the highest for kernel weight (CV=18.4%). The overall mean values of pomological traits, contents of crude protein and mineral matter, showed significant differences between the genotypes. Genotype 25/03 had the lowest (0.69 g), whilst 28/03 had the highest kernel weight (1.29 g). The kernel/nut ratio ranged from 12.4 to 33.5%. The percentage of oil varied from 45.82 to 56.14% and most genotypes showed a high level of crude protein that varied from 20.94 to 26.85%. The most interesting for further studies were genotypes with kernel over 1 g: '29/03', '16/03', '28/03', '1/03', 'B/04', then genotypes '10/03', '11/03', and '17/03' with high kernel oil content (over 55%), as well as genotypes '18/03', '19/03', '22/03', having crude protein content of more than 25%.