Agronomic performance of almond cultivars in Serbia

Abstract

Almond production in Serbia is very small. The main reason for this is the frequent occurrence of late spring frosts during flowering. Present study was carried out to evaluate phenological characteristics (flowering and maturity times), productivity, and characteristics of the nut and the kernel (nut weight and dimensions, shell thickness, weight of kernel, kernel share, oil and protein contents) in 13 almond genotypes of a different origin growing in the region of Belgrade. The average flowering time was the second half of March and the first decade of April. The flowering began first in ‛Nessebarʼ, ‛Selection 25ʼ, and ‛Tétényi kedvencʼ (16th of March), and latest in ‛Francoliʼ, and ‛Texasʼ (29th of March). Beginning of the fruit maturity was recorded in the range of 13 days, from August 15th (‛Tétényi bőtermőʼ and ‘Tétényi keményhéjúʼ) to August 28th (‛Glorietaʼ). The average productivity was the lowest in ‛Glorietaʼ and ‛Francoliʼ and the highest in ‛Tuonoʼ. In March 2017 late spring frost that significantly reduced yield in early flowering cultivars was recorded. Nut weight ranged from 1.95 g (‛Budatétényʼ) to 5.58 g (‛Marconaʼ). Shell thickness varied from 1.71 mm (‛Budatétényʼ) to 5.06 mm (‛Marconaʼ). Kernel weight was the lowest in ‛Selection 25ʼ (0.80 g) and ‛Tuonoʼ (0.81 g), and the highest in ‛Texasʼ (1.30 g). Kernel share was the lowest in ‛Selection 25ʼ (16.03%), and the highest in ‛Budatétényʼ (57.93%). Oil content ranged from 44.35% (‛Glorietaʼ) to 57.52% (‛Budatétényʼ), and protein content ranged from 21.72% (‛Budatétényʼ) to 30.51% (‛Selection 25ʼ). Obtained results indicate that Belgrade region is suitable for growing of late flowering almond cultivars.