Evaluation of pomological traits and fatty acid composition of some persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars in Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

The pomological properties and nutritional values of walnuts vary according to the cultivars and ecological conditions. This study aims to determine some pomological properties and fatty acid compositions of some domestic ('Bilecik', 'Maras 12', 'Maras 18', 'Sebin', 'Sen1', 'Sen 2') and foreign walnut cultivars ('Chandler', 'Fernette', 'Fernor', 'Howard', 'Pedro', 'Serr') grown in Bursa (northwest in Turkey) conditions in 2016-2017. The nut weight of cultivars ranged from 9.19 g (Maras 12) to 16.20 g (Sen 1). Average nut width varied from 28.84 mm (Maras 12) to 38.50 mm (Sen 1), nut thickness was between 27.91 mm (Maras 12) and 37.09 mm (Sen 1). Nut length was between 34.70 mm (Maras 12) and 41.63 mm (Sen 1). Kernel percent and shell thickness varied from 41.77 (Pedro) to 58.06% (Sebin) and 1.10 mm (Sebin) to 1.92 mm (Fernor), respectively. The total oil content of the samples ranged from 60.95 (Bilecik) to 66.00% (Sebin). The linoleic acid content ranged from 53.76 (Maras 18) to 65.37% (Bilecik), and the linolenic acid content was between 8.12 (Sebin) and 11.89% (Bilecik). The oleic acid content of the oils ranged from 12.45 (Bilecik) to 23.21% (Sebin) of the total fatty acids. Palmitic (6.71-11.18%) and stearic acid (2.55-3.97%) were a considerable amount of the remaining fatty acids. 'Sebin,' 'Maras 18', 'Chandler,' 'Fernor,' and 'Howard' were found to be outstanding cultivars for fruit quality traits and fatty acid profiles in Bursa conditions.