Morphological diversity of indigenous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L. var. spinosa) accessions from northeast of Iran

Wild pomegranate is a valuable edible species in the plant ecosystem of the Hyrcanian forests and the northern plains of the Caspian coast in Iran. The genetic diversity of these wild pomegranates can be effective in pomegranate breeding programs and germplasm conservation. In the present study, morphological diversity in 103 wild pomegranates (Punica granatum L. var. spinosa) in the northeastern area of Iran was studied using 46 traits related to trees, flowers, and fruits. The results showed that the fruit weight ranged from 17.93 to 99.9 g with an average of 48.92 g, the total aril weight ranged from 0.54 g to 64.78 g with an average of 24.25 g, and the weight of 100 arils was between 4.89 and 46.21 with an average of 13.79. The fruit cracking percent, crown shape, aril juiciness, calyx, and corolla colors show a high coefficient of variation (CV > 70%). Based on PCA results, fruit weight and total aril weight, peel weight, and fruit length and diameter were important on determining differences among accessions. In biplot analysis, genotype distribution was determined by two main factors. In cluster analysis, the studied accessions were divided into two different major clusters and two subclusters in each one. The results showed a high diversity of important pomological traits in wild pomegranates such as fruit weight, fruit cracking percent, crown shape, total aril weight, aril juiciness corolla, and calyx color that can be used in breeding programs to improve pomegranate juice quality and marketability.