Investigations on yield and quality characteristics of some early table apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars in Manavgat (Antalya) ecological conditions

This research was carried out in Manavgat-Antalya to determine the phenological and pomological characteristics of ‘Beliana’, ‘Feriana’, ‘Ninfa’ and ‘Precoce de Tyrinthe’ apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars in 2013 and 2014 years. Flowering period, harvesting date, fruit weight, seed weight, acidity, total soluble solids (TSS%) and yield tree-1 were determined ‘Ninfa’ apricot fruits were harvested on 7 May 2013 and 8 May 2014. ‘Ninfa’ was considered to be superior with respect to earliness in both trial years. In terms of fruit yield, ‘Ninfa’ was found to be the most productive with 98.50 kg tree-1 in 2013 and 108 kg tree-1 in 2014. The largest fruit were observed in ‘Precoce de Tyrinthe’ apricot cultivar in two experimental years. ‘Ninfa’, regarding earliness and ‘Precoce de Tyrinthe’, with regard to fruit quality, were found to be the most promising cultivars for the Manavgat area. This study has determined the kinds of the most profitable apricot for early growing for farmers by testing values of yield, earliness and quality in low altitude areas