Applications that could improve apricot (Prunus armeniaca) fruit size and quality would enhance their marketability. In this study, the effects of preharvest benzyladenine (BA) and BA plus gibberellin (GA) applications on fruit quality of ‘Alyanak’ apricot were investigated. BA (50, 100, and 150 ppm) and BA + GA4+7 (12.5, 25, and 50 ppm) were applied at the beginning of pit hardening stage. When fruit reached their maturity, samples were harvested and evaluated in terms of: weight, size, firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, and pH. Fruit treated with BA were significantly heavier and larger than fruit not treated, and there were significant differences in fruit size within the BA-treated fruit. The heaviest and the largest fruit were obtained from 100 to 150 ppm BA concentrations. BA + GA4+7 treatments did not affect fruit size. Application of 100 ppm BA and 25 ppm BA + GA4+7 increased fruit firmness at harvest. SSC, pH, and acidity were unaffected by the applications. The results obtained in this study showed a practical benefit of a single application of BA at the end of pit hardening for improving apricot quality. Fruit treated with the optimum dose of BA (100 ppm) were larger and firmer than untreated fruit.

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ABSTRACT. We conducted simple sequence repeat (SSR) analyses of 15 traditional quince (Cydonia oblonga) cultivars from Anatolian gene sources for molecular characterization and investigation of genetic relationships. Three pear and two apple cultivars were used as references for SSR locus data analysis and to determine allele profiles between species. Eight SSR loci that were developed from apple and pear were used, and a total of 44 alleles were found among quince cultivars. The CH01F02 locus was found to have the highest identification probability, while the CH04E03 locus had the lowest identification probability. Analysis of similarity ratios between quince cultivars showed that the lowest similarity ratio was 18% (Eşme-Bardacık), while the highest similarity ratio was 87% (Bursa-Osmancık and Osmancık-Viranyadevi). In the phylogenetic dendrogram, Eşme quince showed separate branching from other quince cultivars, and no synonymous accessions were found. These results suggest that SSR markers from pear and apple could be used to determine genetic 5881 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 12 (4): 5880-5888 (2013) Anatolian quince cultivars variation among quince cultivars. These findings can be used to guide future quince breeding and management studies.

The effects of 1-MCP (a chemical which includes methyleyelopropene, dextrose, cyclodextrin A.I. and amino acid salt) treatments were determined on fruit drop at pre-harvest and fruit quality during the storage period of 'Stark Spur Golden' was determined and the chemical was applied as three doses (0-150-300 a.i.g/ha). The 1-MCP was applied at two different times on apple trees as two groups. The application on the first group of apple trees was made seven days before optimum harvest time and harvested on optimum harvest time. The application on the second group of apple trees was made at optimum harvest time and harvested at seven days after optimum harvest time. Fruit were stored at 0°C (air humidity, 85-90%) in a polyurethane sandwich panel cold air store. Physical and chemical analyses at 60 and 120 days from harvest were done on stored fruits. Consequently, fruit flesh firmness, soluble solids and colors of fruit skin were measured and the chemical application which was made as 300 a.i.g/ha dose in optimum harvest time has been suggested as the most useful application.