Promising Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Genotypes from Natural Population in Serbia

Serbia is a rich in Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) populations that grow naturally in a variety of locations. At Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, an intensive breeding program on this fruit species started in 2006. Th e paper reviews morphometric characteristics of 16 Cornelian cherry genotypes collected on the territory of the Vojvodina Province and Ma?va region in 2008 and 2009, which were found to be superior in terms of fruit size and quality. On average for the two years, the genotype PPC1 had the highest fruit length (27.79 mm), fruit width (18.97 mm), fruit weight (6.61 g), mesocarp weight (5.86 g) and the fl esh to stone ratio (88.46%). Th e genotype ?uti had the longest fruit. Th e eff ect of year of growing was statistically signifi cant for all studied traits, except for fruit width and fruit shape index. Fruit weight, economically the most important characteristic, ranged in the interval from 2.25 to 6.61 g, with a large number of genotypes having the fruit weight over 3 g. All of the tested genotypes had satisfactory fl esh to stone ratio, from 79.00% (CPC9) to 88.46% (PPC1). Th e highest variability was detected for mesocarp weight (36.48%) and fruit weight (33.19%) in 2009, while fl esh to stone ratio was the most stable characteristic in both test years (CV = 3.84 and 4.09% in 2008 and 2009, respectively). Th e genotype SKC had highest contents of soluble matter (32.37%), total sugars (25.38%) and reducing sugars (23.67%). Fruits of the genotype KC2 had highest contents of vitamin C (39.22 mg/100 g fruit) and total acids (3.60%). Selection Apatinski rani had the highest content of anthocyanins (109.36 mg/100 g fruit). Depending on the genotype, protein content ranged from 1.43 to 2.71%, and tannin content from 0.65% to 1.31%.