سیما بینا

Introduced early ripening cultivars and high quality, due economic importance it is one of the important goals of reform programs. Program for identification, evaluation and collection of cherry genotypes in Khorasan Razavi province, Mashhad, Tous cultivar was introduced for 20 years since 1998 with the implementation of 5 research projects through a selection of native genotypes. The results of more than a decade of research showed that Tous cultivar has a habit of extensive growth and moderate branching power. The beginning of flowering of Tous in the first week of April and is ready to be harvested in the fourth week of May. Pollination examination showed that this cultivar is self-incompatible. Dovomras and Siahmashhad recommended as suitable and compatible pollinator cultivars. Fruit weight Tous (6.2 gr) is higher than Adli (4.9 gr) and Delamarka (3.8 gr). Fruit tail length is one of the traits used in identifying cherry cultivars. Fruit tail length of Tous cultivar is (2.48 cm) shorter than Adli (3.72 cm) and Delamarka (3.63 cm) cultivars. The high fruit weight and the short length of the fruit tail of Tous cultivar are among the advantages of this cultivar which are expected to increase its economic value and more marketability.

Release of early ripening and high-quality cultivars is always one of the most important goals of cherry breeding programs. In 2019, Shandiz was released through selection of native cherry genotypes of Khorasan Razavi province after performing five research projects during 20 years. The results of more than a decade of research showed that Shandiz cultivar has an extensive growth habit and moderate branching power. According to the phenological studies Shandiz flowering starts in the first week of April and it is ready to be harvested in the Third week of May. This cultivar is self-incompatible and Zard-90 and Sorati Lavasan are recommended as suitable and compatible pollinator cultivars. Fruit weight of Shandiz (7.23 gr) is higher than Adli (4.9 gr), and Delamarka (3.8 gr) cultivars. Shandiz has a higher total solid soluble (TSS) (%18.16) compared to Adli (%16.9) and Delamarka (%16.2) cultivars. The yield of Shandiz was 23 kg/tree compared to Adli (14.5 kg/tree). Although early ripening cultivars usually have smaller fruit size due to the short growing season, but the high fruit weight and percentage of TSS in Shandiz are considered as some important advantages to increase its economic value as well as its marketability.

Cherry is one of the most important fruits in the world, with its good flavor, aroma and appearance. In order to compare the morphological, phenological and pomological characteristics of 10 selected sweet cherry genotypes with four commerical and domestic cultivars, a randomized complete blocks design with three replications was conducted in ​​two years of cultivation of 2016-2018. The results showed that there was a significant difference between cultivars and genotypes in terms of many traits. Among the investigated samples, the Msh-BT genotype, was the earliest flowering (27 March) and the earliest ripening (10 May) in comparison with other genotypes. Also, the Msh-BT genotype had the maximum height, width and volume of the crown and trunk diameter. The highest annual vegetative growth, number of spur and the percentage of twins were related to Msh-3-26 genotype. Msh-F-1 genotype produced the highest length, width and leaf area. In terms of pomological characteristics, the Msh-F1 genotype had the highest length, width, diameter and fruit weight, and the Msh-BT genotype had the least length and thickness of the fruit tail. In addition, Sweet ann genotype showed the highest stone weight, acidity and yield. In terms of flesh and skin colour, stone shape and fruit shape, there was a difference between the genotypes. According to dendrogram, genotypes were divided into three clusters. In general, Msh-BT and Msh-F1 genotypes are recommended in terms of precociousness and large fruit size, respectively and Sweet ann cultivar in terms of high yield compared to Siyah- Mashhad cultivar (control) in the conditions of Khorasan Razavi province.

In order to increase time interval of the fruit supply and to produce variability and benefit from the marketable characteristics of superior apricot germplasm, six promising genotypes selected among native genotypes of East Azerbaijan province, Iran were evaluated from 2004 to 2018. In these studies, the generative and vegetative characteristics of these genotypes were assessed during the implementation of seven research projects and studied genotype were compared with the cv. Ordubad 90 (as control). The results showed that fruit of genotype No. 190 was ripened at least 20 days later than control. Although the mean differences of fruit volume and weight of this genotype were non-significant with control but its flesh firmness in the physiological ripening stage was significantly more than the control (3 kgcm-2). Also, a significant difference was observed between the weight ratio of fruit/stone of genotype 190 and control having ratios of 25.6 and 16.6, respectively. The fruit of this genotype with 25% moisture reduction was dried ideally and its organoleptic characteristics remained stable for at least one year in cold storage conditions. Studies also revealed that the superiority of the characteristics of yield efficiency, relative coloring of fruit, ripening date, storage period, shelf life and transportability of genotype No. 190 in comparison with control and therefor this genotype was released and introduced as "Sahand 97" commercial name to the Iran's horticultural community.

In order to study quantitative and qualitative traits of early ripening sweet cherries cultivars and genotypes, an experiment carried out based on a completely randomized blocks design (RCBD) in Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Khorasan Razavi. The results showed that flowering of promising Mashhad-86 started one week earlier (the first week of April) compare to other cultivars and fruit ripened in the third decade of May. Mean fruit weight of promising Mashhad-86 (6.26 g) was higher than Adli (4.9 g),Siah Qazvin (3.7 g), Pish Ras(4.26 g), DellaMarca (3.8 g) and Mashhad-84 (6.06 g). PishRas and promising Mashhad-86 had the highest total soluble solids with 19.73% and 18.16%, respectively. The highest and lowest yield be longed to Pish Ras (21 kg per tree) and Siah Qazvin (12 kg per tree), respectively. Early ripening cultivars, due to the short growing season, had smaller fruit size. Promising Mashhad-86 genotype with higher mean fruit weight and percentage of soluble solids had higher economic value and marketability.

Sweet cherry is one the important fruits in temperate region. Short duration of fruit production necessitates development and release of new early maturity sweet cherry cultivars. Selection in germplasm for new cultivars is practiced in fruit trees breeding programs. This research was carried out to evaluate quantitative and qualitative characteristics of five cherry cultivars: Adli, Belmarca, Pish Ras, Siah Mashhad, Siah Qazvin and Mashhad-84 promissing genotype, in Golmakan agricultural research station, Mashhad, Iran, in 2017-2018. The results of pollination showed that Mashhad- 84 promissing genotype is self- incpmpatible and cv. Dovomras, Stella and Haji Yousefi were identified as suitable pollinizers for it. Flowering in Mashhad-84 promissing genotype began on April 8 and full bloom completed in April 12. The duration of fruit ripening varied greatly aomong genotypes. Average fruit weight of Mashhad-84 promising genotype was 6.06 grams which was greater than average fruit weight of Adli (4.06 g), Pish Ras (4.04 g), and Belmarca (3.05 g). Early maturity cultivars usually have smaller fruit size, therefore, higher average fruit weight of Mashhad- 84 promising genotype is one of its advantage which will enhance its economic value and marketability.

Early cultivars of fruit trees have high economic value due to early ripening. However, their short growing season results in lower yield and fruit weight. Meanwhile their market price is higher as they are the earliest available fruit. During early May, when there is a great market demand for sweet cherry in the north east of Iran, "Adli" is the first cultivar that its fruit is ready for harvest. The replacement of some commercial cultivars with "Adli" would play an important role in increasing income of the producers. "Adli" cultivar were introduced by the selection among local sweet cherry genotypes of Khorasan by conducting six research projects during 1991-2013. The evaluations showed that "Adli" possesed characteristics such as early ripening (one week earlier than Blamarka- the third week of May), high average weight (4.9 g compared to 3.3 g average weight of the Blamarka), marketability, tolerance to doubling and had higher economic value compared to other cultivars or genotypes, including "Pishras e Mashhad", "Blamarka"(early imported cultivar).