AGRICULTURAE CONSPECTUS SCIENTIFICUS, cilt.87, sa.3, ss.201-211, 2022 (Scopus)
This study was carried out to determine the pomological and biochemical characteristics of
eight different loquat genotypes collected from the Black Sea region (Turkey) in 2018. Totally
20 fruits, at the same ripening stage, were collected from the selected genotypes and tested.
Results suggested that there were a high (0.768-0.907) positive and statistically significant
correlations among all pomological features (P < 0.01) while the correlations among the
biochemical compounds were weak and statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). According
to the PCA (principal component analysis) analysis of the pomological characteristics, the
genotype #1 was superior as compared with other genotypes. Contrary to the pomological
characteristics, genotype #1 was found to have the lowest phenolic compounds and it was also
moderate in sugar content but a high-grade genotype by organic acids, especially citric acid
and malic acid. Furthermore, results suggested that genotypes #3, #4, #7 and #8 were identical
and were rich in glucose, succinic acid, and total flavonoid. The results suggested that loquat
fruits had a high potential for health benefits. The results are also a preliminary key reference
for future studies in terms of loquat cultivation throughout the world and have high potential
as a functional food.