Evaluation of genetic variation of some almond genotypes using morphological markers

In order to group and compare 100 almond seed genotypes in Malayer region, 65 different quantitative and qualitative attributes related to vegetative and fruit traits of nut and kernel were measured based on the almond descriptor. Based on the results obtained some of the traits like the habit of tree growth, marking of outer shell, the durability of the outer layer of the outer shell, the opening of the outer shell, the presence of an extra edge of the nut, the time of leaves fall in the autumn, the percentage of twin kernels, the amount of leaf phosphorus and taste of the kernel had a high coefficient of variation. Simple correlation coefficients between traits showed that there were some vegetative, nut and kernel measured traits have a positive or negative correlation. Significant positive correlation between the ratio of length to width of the kernel and the shape of the nut (r= 0.60), the outer shell thickness and the softness and hardness of the outer shell (r = 0.65) existed. The cluster analysis divided the genotypes into two main groups at 15 Euclidean distances and the most important factors in the separation of genotypes from each other are the outer shell thickness, the outer layer thickness of the outer shell, the softness and hardness of the outer shell. With decrease in the Euclidean distance from 15 to 5, genotypes were divided into six main groups. Among the important factors were the separation of traits such as fruit ripening, nut shape, outer shell thickness, softness and hardness of the crust and the percentage of twin kernel. Factor analysis reduced the assessed traits to 11 main factors, justifying 61.17 percent of total variation. The traits related to the nut and kernel had the greatest effect on the separation of cultivars and genotypes. According to the results, there is a good genetic variation in almond genotypes in this region which can be used in almond breeding programs.