Identification and registration of some walnut genotypes by using morphological characteristics.

In order to register seven walnut new genotypes breed by Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, the necessary morphological characteristics were evaluated based on UPOV distinction, uniformity and stability descriptor during 2008-2009. The morphological characteristics were recorded on genotypes Z63 (released as Jamal), Z30 (released as Damavand), Z67, Z60, Z53, K72, and B21 in karaj and Kerman for two years. The all 35 characters of upov descriptor were included in DUS test and classification of the genotypes was done based on them. Meanwhile, 8 forign cultivars: chandler, Hartley, Pedro, Serr, Franquette, Lara, Ronde de Montignac and Vina were evaluated together for both comparison with native genotypes and to be considered as refrence collection. The results for each genotype were reported separately. Base on the results, the distinction could be possible using four characters [leafing date, pistillate flowering and pollen shedding(dichogamy) and fruit shape]. The main important character is leafing date that based on it, the cultivars are classified into three grops early leafing (eight cultivars and genotypes), late leafing (five cultivars and genotypes) and very late leafing (two cultivars and genotypes). Among the evaluated cultivars and genotypes, Z63(Jamal), Z30(Damavand), Z67, Z60, Z53, K72 , B21and Serr were early leafing, Vina, Lara, Pedro, Chandler and Hartley were late leafing and Ronde de Montignac and Franquette were very late leafing. Based on dichogamy from seven native genotypes, two(Z53 and Z30) were protogynous and other five were protandrous. Among forign cultivars in spite of being all protandrous, but the difference in emerging male and female organs was very high in Vina and was classified in other group respect to medium leafing cultivars having pollen shedding more earlier. Among two very late cultivars, Ronde de Montignac tends to be homogamous, but the franquette in completely protandrous. The fruit shape is also very good character for distinction of other cultivars/genotypes in each group.