Examination of Some Nut Traits and Release From Dormancy Along With Germination Capacity in Some Bitter Almond Genotypes

TL;DR

This study evaluated nut traits, dormancy release, and germination capacity in 10 bitter almond genotypes, identifying G6 and G2 as the most promising for cultivation based on their high dormancy release and germination rates.

Contribution

It provides comparative data on nut traits, dormancy release, and germination in bitter almond genotypes, highlighting the most viable genotypes for cultivation.

Findings

G6 and G2 showed the highest dormancy release and germination percentages.

Nut traits varied significantly among genotypes.

G6 and G2 are identified as the best genotypes for cultivation.

Abstract

This study was conducted at College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq so as to investigate some nut traits in 10 bitter almond genotypes, capacity of them to release from dormancy and finally germination ability. Nut traits were calculated, and stratified in a sand medium at 6 C in a refrigerator for 55 days, then they were sown in fine sand on August 22, 2021 for 29 days to calculate germination percentage. There were great discrepancies among genotypes in nut traits. Nut length was between (23.66-32.73 mm), nut width (18.77-21.84 mm), nut size (3.16-4.26 cm3), nut weight (2.67-4.13 g), kernel weight (0.6-0.99 g), shell weight (1.94-3.27 g) and shell thickness (2.31-3.37 mm). The results of release from dormancy and calculation of germination percentage trials showed that the highest nut numbers from G6 (100%), G4 (86.11%) and G2 (65.22%) were released from dormancy and the same genotypes gave the best germination percentage, particularly G6 and G2 both gave (73.33%) germination. Depending on the results of release percentage from dormancy and germination percentage, G6 and G2 along with G4 were the best genotypes.