DIVERSITY OF WILD APPLE GENETIC RESOURCES IN THE TROYAN

REGION, CENTRAL BULGARIA

1. ABSTRACT
In Bulgaria, the apple (Malus domestica L.) has a long history of cultivation, and a big diversity of genetic recourses is found in the country. Wild relatives of
this fruit species could be found in forests or other habitats. The local genetic resources are valuable for their good adaptation to the climatic and soil
conditions of their natural habitat. In addition, they often have a number of valuable characteristics, such as resistance to diseases and pests that should be
preserved and used as donors in the breeding programs. The current study aimed to describe the diversity of the population of wild seedlings found in
expedition studies in the Troyan, Central Bulgaria region and to assess their value for future breeding purposes. To complete this objective fruit size, fruit
flesh firmness, total soluble solids content (°Brix), skin, and fruit flesh colour were measured. All studied characteristics were highly variable in the
population. Fruit flesh colouration varied from white to pinkish. Very high sugar content had PM 11 (18.08%), PM 12 (18.32%), PM 25 (17.44%). All analyzed
samples had a higher content of invert sugars and lower sucrose content. Of all the studied forms, PM 17 and PM 104 had very low acids content.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
In 2021 expedition studies were carried out in the region of Central Bulgaria, Troyan and apple genetic recourses were mapped. In 2021 and 2022 was
investigated their fruit quality and its diversity. An average sample was taken, and biometric data with Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Digimatic Absolute Caliper 150
mm were measured. Fruit weight was measured with a digital scale. The apple fruits were subjected to colour evaluation in the CIE L*a*b* including Hue
angle (h) and Chroma (c), using a handheld colourimeter PCE-CSM 2 with an aperture of 8 mm. Measurements were done at the equatorial part on both
sides of 5 fruits. Fruit firmness was measured using a PCE-PTR-200N digital penetrometer. The total soluble solids content was measured using a digital
refractometer Kern ORF 85BM. Chemical analyses of the fruit flesh included determining the total sugars, invert sugars and sucrose by the method of
Schoorl-Regenbogen (1952). The acid content was determined titrimetrically, by a titrator and the active acidity (pH) – potentiometrically, by pH meter.
Data were processed by the Excel Data Analyses tool pack and IBM SPSS statistics 26 software, Hierarchical Cluster Analyses.
.3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of biometrical data Table 2. Descriptive Statistics of chemical analyses data
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
TSS content (°Brix) 50 15,11 23,20 19,11 1,96
Fruit weight 50 48,80 156,00 95,73 28,85 Total sugars 50 6,88 14,90 10,50 2,20
Fruit height 50 39,52 65,08 50,68 5,43 Invert sugars 50 4,50 11,36 8,28 1,70
Fruit width 50 48,33 73,33 59,99 6,15 Sucrose 50 0,23 5,49 2,10 1,40
Total acidity 50 0,26 1,31 0,76 0,22
Petiole length 50 6,48 18,46 12,63 2,68
pH 50 3,42 6,47 3,99 0,51

Histogram
Frequency
Frequency

16 16
10
0 7

15 17 19 21 More
0

Fig. 1 TSS content

Fig. 2. Dendogram of hierarchical cluster analyses made for the average Fig. 3. Dendogram of hierarchical cluster analyses made for the average data
biometry data from 2021-2022, using average linkage (Between Groups). of the chemical analyses, using average linkage (Between Groups).
4. CONCLUSION
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The fruit quality local apple genetic resources using modern methodologies and
techniques were investigated. The studied genetic resources are do not rely on the The paper is published with the financial support of the Bulgarian
contemporary quality standards for apple fruits. The rich biodiversity of wild, old National Science Fund (BNSF), project KП-06-Н46/3 from 2020
and local genotypes, its preserving, studying, and promotion is a prerequisite for “Innovations and traditions in the conservation and use of old local
including new genitors in the breeding programs. genetic resources in fruit growing and viticulture.”
V Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing, Zagreb, Croatia, June 18-21, 2023