Impact of contrasting climate conditions on pomegranate development and productivity: implications for breeding and cultivar selection in colder environments

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Print ISSN : 0970-4078.
Online ISSN : 2229-4473.
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Doi: 10.1007/s42535-023-00771-6
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Keywords: Pomegranate, Low-temperature, Productive potential, Vegetative growth, Physiology


Abstract


Several researches reported that pomegranate adaptation was influenced by many factors related to environmental conditions and genotype. In this study, the influence of two contrasting climate conditions on pomegranate development and productivity was evaluated over two consecutive years (2021/2022). Yield, physical quality of fruits, vegetative growth, and physiological status of Sefri and Marsi (Moroccan cultivars) along with Wonderful (American variety) were assessed and compared under low-temperature conditions and warm climates. The results showed significant varietal differences in nearly all measured response variables, except for the number of stomata per leaf. From the first season of experiment, fruit yield significantly decreased under the coldest climate conditions, with average reductions of 57%, 37%, and 35% in Sefri, Marsi, and Wonderful cultivars, respectively. This decrease was associated with a significant reduction in arils physical quality, and juice content. Additionally, shoot length and leaf area decreased in Moroccan cultivars under colder environments in comparison to Wonderful variety. Physiologically, leaves at high altitude areas had highest proline and cuticular wax content, as well as lowest concentration of chlorophyll pigments, when compared to warm conditions. Based on these results, Wonderful variety was found to be more tolerant to low-temperature environments than Moroccan cultivars, experiencing lowest decline in potential production and vegetative growth. These findings suggest that the variation in low-temperature tolerance among the studied pomegranate genotypes can be utilized in breeding programs and for selecting pomegranate cultivars suitable for neighboring Moroccan regions with colder climates.


Pomegranate, Low-temperature, Productive potential, Vegetative growth, Physiology


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Acknowledgements


The authors are grateful to M. Lahlou, M. Alghoum, and C.D Khalfi for their help in experimental orchard management and laboratory work.


Author Information


Adiba Atman
Regional Agricultural Research Center of Meknes, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Rabat, Morocco