The strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo L.) selection in Turkey

These days, the strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo L.), which is a comparatively under-utilized fruit tree species, has attracted attention because of many different possible commercial usages such as for processed and fresh fruit production and ornamental, the pharmaceutical and chemical industrial applications. They are disappearing from the natural flora for many reasons such as their being cut down for fire-wood and structuring on natural vegetation. A selection program was carried out with the aim of selecting strawberry tree genotypes of high quality from the native strawberry tree population grown in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 51 genotypes were evaluated in the program, in 2003 and 2004. The aims of the selection program were focused on fruit pomological characteristics such as fruit weight, total soluble solid, acidity, fruit taste, stoniness, juiciness, roughness and appearance. The data regarding pomological characteristics was evaluated by the Weighted Rankit method. The highest overall score for the characteristics tested was from genotype 57A01 followed by 57A15, 57GÇ08, 57A22 and 57A07, respectively. Their fruit weight was 11.08, 6.17, 6.30, 6.95 and 8.06 g, respectively. TSS contents and acidity of them varied from 21.4 to 30.0% and 0.80 to 1.59%, respectively. Phenological characteristics such as first bloom, fruit set and harvest date and some other fruit, flower and leaf characteristics of selected A. unedo genotypes were also determined. Vitamin C content of the samples varied from 97.83 to 280.00 mg/100 g. Finally, five superior strawberry tree genotypes were selected from the samples we studied for extensive cultivation and thus they were also saved from extinction.