Evaluation of 52 almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) cultivars from the Apulia region in Southern Italy.

Research was carried out in 2002-2003 on the quantitative, carpological and qualitative characteristics of 52 almond cultivars (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) from the Apulia region of Italy, part of the extensive almond germplasm collection of the Agronomic Experimental Institute of Ban. For each cultivar, the following parameters were taken into account: kernel yield, shelling percentage, number of double kernels, weight of almond nut and kernel, total lipid content, and α-tocopherol content. The most productive cultivar was found to be 'Barlettana', with just over 2 kg of kernels per tree, followed in order of productivity by 'Cristomorto', 'Santoro', 'Catuccia', 'Filippo Ceo', 'Piangente', and 'Pidocchioso'.The most productive ecotypes showed both a notable kernel weight and a high percentage of double kernels, but there were exceptions (e.g., 'Santoro' and 'Pidocchiosa' showed a low percentage of double kernels). The almond cultivars studied here had high total lipid contents, ranging from 633 mg g^-1 kernel fresh weight (FW) for 'Filippo Ceo', to 450 mg g^-1 FW for 'Cosimo di Ban' and 'Gioa'. The α-tocopherol content was the parameter with the highest coefficient of variability and was the most important factor when classifying cultivars into groups with the greatest similarities. The highest α-tocopherol contents were found in 'Senz'arte', 'Pizzuta D'Avola' and 'Rachele', which also had the lowest productivity in the period under study. 'Santoro' showed the best combined results across all factors under consideration. Principal component analysis and discriminant analysis between the different parameters were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]