S02 - Session P6 - Morphological variability of Sorbus domestica L. fruits and seeds in the Mediterranean part of Croatia

Authors: Mira Radunic *, Lukrecija Butorac, Jaksa Rosin, Tonka Nincevic Runjic, Marko Runjic, Josip Tadic, Marin Cagalj, Ivan Limic, Zeljan Dulcic, Goran Jelic

Service tree ( Sorbus domestica L.) is a wild fruit species that grows in forests and agricultural lands in the Mediterranean and continental region of the Republic of Croatia. This research discusses the morphological variability of service tree fruits and seeds in Croatia. Fruits were collected from natural populations in two different ecological areas: the coastal area (island of Šipan) and hinterland (Katuni). The morphological characterization of service tree fruits (weight, shape, skin colour, flesh colour) and seeds (shape and number of seeds per fruit) was carried out using the service tree descriptor. The data were analysed to define intra- and inter-population variability. In the coastal area fruit weight varied from 3.00g to 25.05g. There were five shapes of fruit; mainly globose, flat spheroidal or conic, and only sporadically pyriform or ovate. The yellow-red flushed fruit skin colour and white-yellow flesh colour prevailed. The number of seeds per fruit ranged between one to three, and the semi-circular shape predominated. For 11% of accessions, double seeds were recorded. In the hinterland, fruit weight varied from 3.97g to 16.28g. Three fruit shapes were recorded: mainly globose and sometimes ovate or conic. Yellow fruit skin and white flesh colour prevailed. The number of seeds per fruit varied from one to four, and the semi-circular seeds predominated. Most accessions (67%) within the population contained double seeds. To preserve genetic resources and select the best accessions of service tree, future studies should include a wider sampling of service tree populations in the Mediterranean part of Croatia, and investigations of their phenotype and genotype.