Abstract:

This study was carried out to determine the effects of two different altitudes (117 m/Antakya and 812 m/Belen) and three growing seasons (2020, 2021, and 2022 years) on some phenological periods and fruit quality characteristics of the ‘Sultan’ hawthorn cultivar. In the study, phenological stages such as first flowering, full flowering, end of flowering, and harvest date were observed. Fruit weight (g), fruit width (mm), fruit length (mm), number of seeds per fruit (pcs fruit-1), seed weight (g pcs-1), edible fruit ratio (%), total soluble solids (TSS %), pH and titratable acidity (%) were investigated. In addition, fruit skin and flesh colors were measured. According to the results, the flowering periods, harvest date and physical properties of the fruit were affected by the altitude and growing season in the ‘Sultan’ cultivar. The full flowering and harvest date of the ‘Sultan’ hawthorn cultivar grown at 117 m were 15 days and 22 days earlier, respectively, compared to 812 m. However, the average fruit weight of the cultivar was 28.74% higher at 812 m compared to 117 m. As a result, favorable results were obtained from the cultivation of the ‘Sultan’ hawthorn cultivar, especially at an altitude of 812 m for fruit size and 117 m for earliness.

Keywords: