Analysis of morphological and pomological features of apricot in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan

: Apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) is grown across a wide geographical area and has been cultivated in Azerbaijan for more than three thousand years. The purpose of the study was to characterize the apricot varieties and forms collected from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Fourty-four apricot varieties and forms were studied according to 10 (phenological, pomological, morphological) parameters. A wide variation was found between yield, total soluble solids and fruit weight among varieties and forms. Fruits of the most of apricot varieties and forms were small, only two of them—Hampa and Limon Erik 2—had a fruit weight more than 50 g. In general, the fruits had yellow skin and flesh with high total soluble solids (TSS). Five varieties are characterized by orange, two by white, and three by yellowish-green skin ground color (SGC). A high correlation was found between several morphological and pomological features. Maximum Pearson correlation indices were found between bud break season and blossom season, fruit weight and fruit length, blossom season and harvest season. Fruits that were longer and wider had high fruit weight. The results of the PC (principal component) analysis revealed the first four components (PC1 - PC4) explained by 87.49% of the variance observed between varieties and forms. The presented study shows that the more attractive and yellow-skinned Azerbaijani apricot varieties and forms are suitable to produce dried apricots. Data from statistical analysis can be used to select different varieties and forms for apricot breeding programs. The research will provide a solid basis for the effective management and sustainable use of apricot germplasms for future breeding programs in the region.