LAUSR

Walnut (Juglans regia L.), is one of the main economic fruit species in the world and is rich in nutritious substances. In order to obtain superior walnut genotypes, a set of seedling walnut genotypes were evaluated and their results were recorded. The range of nut length was between 25.57 and 47.77 mm. Also, the ranges of nut weight, kernel weight and kernel percentage varied from 5.35 to 21.31 g, 2.49 to 11.15 g and 37.27 to 66.29%, respectively. Simple correlation analysis showed significant positive and negative correlations between some of the measured traits. Principal component analysis reduced the evaluated traits into the seven main components, which explained 71.71% of the total variance. Bi-plot analysis performed using the first two components, distributed the genotypes into four sides of the plot. Based on the present results, a high variation was observed among the trees, indicating a high potential of the studied germplasm to select the superior genotypes. According to the present research, 57 genotypes with having the highest nut weight and kernel weight, as well as bright color of the kernel, were recognized as superior genotypes and can be used to establish the new orchards or improve cultivars.