Evaluation of Some Summer Apple Germplasm for Sensory Characteristics in Iran

Sensory characteristics are one of the most important parameters for screening of apple breeding selections. Even though that Iran isa main apple producer in the world, but Iranian apple germplasm is not well known for breeders and producers over the world. In this study, sensory traits were evaluated in 164 local apple genotypes over 3 years compared to ‘Gala’. Genotypes were assessed for fruit texture, sweetness, sourness, crispness, juiciness, aroma and desirability based on hedonic-sensory scale (0-9). A large variability was show among genotypes for all studied sensory traits. According to the sensory assessment, 43 genotypes were highlighted for fruit texture. The highest fruit quality for sweetness dedicated to 26 genotypes. Eighty local genotypes received a high value of sourness as well. MN10 and MN8 genotypes indicated very good taste, acceptability and were therefore selected as top apple genotypes.