Study of genotypes from Chaenomeles sp. L. in Central North Bulgaria

Stela Dimkova, Teodora Mihova

Abstract: This study was conducted in the period 2017-2018 in the region of Dryanovo, Central North Bulgaria. The object of the study is Japanese quince (Chaenomeles sp.L.)planted many years ago for landscaping purposes. Japanese quince possesses ornamental value, the fruits have medicinal properties and are rich of Vitamin C.The shrub is not demanding to environmental conditions. The main soils are gray forest and the altitude in the area is from 230 m to 680 m. During the research expedition, in vicinity of the rural roads and in the town Dryanovo itself we also found and did observe genotypes of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles sp.), grown without care for more than 20 years. The shrubs are thorny to a different rate. Five genotypes representing a valuable genetic resource were selected. They are distinguished by the size of the bush and the size and shape of the fruit. The fruits are aromatic, with a sour taste, ripening in the first half of October. The plants of two of the genotypes reach a height up to 1 m and a width of up to 1.4 m and the other three genotypes are larger in size,reaching a height of 1.90 m and a width of 2.05 m. The fruits of genotype 5 produce the largest average fruit weight of - 85.33 g, followed by genotype 2 - 68.43 g. Genotype 3 has the smallest fruits - 13.33 g.

Keywords: Bulgaria; Chaenomeles japonica; Chaenomeles sp.; genotypes

Date published: 2019-10-30