Screening of almond cultivars and genotypes in relation to frost stress tolerance

Almond is one of the most important horticultural crops of the Iran, which has been of interest to Iranian growers for a long time due to its unique characteristics. To select the best cultivars or genotypes of almonds from almond germplasm, an investigation based on frost tolerance (50 genotype and varieties in conditions of the laboratory was conducted using cuttings containing flower buds) in the Horticultural Sciences Researches Institute under laboratory conditions. The tolerance of 50 genotypes to frost in laboratory conditions was investigated in a factorial manner in a completely random design with the first factor of cold at 2 levels (normal temperature or without frost stress and -3°C) and the second factor of genotype at 50 levels with 3 replications. In this research, after screening 50 varieties and genotypes of almonds in relation to tolerance to freezing stress, two varieties and genotypes (Shokofeh and A43D99) were tolerant and two varieties (Peerless and Rabie) were sensitive and 2 varieties and genotypes (Nanpareil and A47MS3 ) intermediates were selected for further investigation, especially in relation to traits related to frost tolerance.It should be noted that the selected genotypes in this research are the result of breeding programs, and with further study and research work, some of these genotypes can be introduced as genotypes resistant to frost stress and used in breeding and cultivation programs.