Comparative Assessment of Fruit Quality Attributes and Bioactive Compounds of Apple (Malus domestica) Genotypes Grown in Gilgit-Baltistan

Résumé fourni par la source

Apple (Malus domestica) is a deciduous perennial tree that belongs to the family “Rosaceae”. Due to the highly suitable agro-climatic conditions for apple cultivation, it is among the widely cultivated fruits in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). This study aims to evaluate elite apple genotypes in GB based on morphological and biochemical traits. Five- to six-year-old plants were selected for this study. The research employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, and mean differences were analyzed using the LSD test. In this study, five genotypes were assessed based on morphological (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, and firmness) and biochemical attributes (TSS, TA, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, and flavonoid content). The results revealed significant variation among apple cultivars in both phytochemical and fruit quality attributes. The cultivar ‘Red Delicious’ exhibited the highest fruit weight (146.18 g), total soluble solids (TSS) (15.4 °Brix), and flavonoid content (105.75 mg 100 g−1 FW). In contrast, ‘Red Full Star’ demonstrated superior firmness (7.19 kg cm−2), along with the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (4.00 mg GAE g−1 FW) and ascorbic acid content (26.45 mg 100 g−1 FW). Although the indigenous variety ‘Nus Khushu’ exhibited lower values in commercial traits, it holds substantial potential for conservation due to its unique local adaptation. The findings indicate that the “Red Delicious” and “Red Full Star” cultivars cultivated in GB are enriched with a variety of bioactive compounds that offer notable health benefits and may be utilized for future crop enhancement and breeding initiatives.

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