Study on the Frost Tolerance of Important Apricot (Prunus Armenica L.) Cultivars

Abstract

This study was conducted between the years of 1996-1998 in order to determine frost tolerance of Adilcevaz 5, Çölodlu, Hacýhalilolu, Hasanbey, Kabaapý, Kadýodlu, Luizet, Paviot and Tokalodlu apricot cultivars and determine the relationship between tolerance to frost and macro and micro elements contents. Samples of flower buds were collected and exposed to artificial freezing tests periodically between December and March. Importance differences were found between the ability of cultivars to tolerate frost. The frost tolerance ability of the investigated cultivars was found to be higher in January and February, than in December or March. Kadýodlu,Çölodlu, Kabaajpý, Adilcevaz 5 were found to be cultivars exhibiting tolerance to frost. Nitrogen and Magnesium levels did not show any important changes during the experimental periods. However, the levels of K and Cu increased regularly. In all the investigated cultivars, the level of Ca, Mn and Zn increased from January to February, in parallel with the frost tolerance ability of the tested cultivars, but decreased in December and March. The level of Na was found to be low in January and February but high in December and March.