Comparative Evaluation of Yield and Fruit Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Five Commercial Cultivars of Pomegranate Grown in Southeastern Italy in Two Consecutive Years

This study, conducted over two consecutive seasons (2018–2019), evaluates the yield and fruit physico-chemical traits of five commercial cultivars (‘Mollar’, ‘Dente di Cavallo’, ‘Acco’, ‘Jolly red’ ‘Wonderful’) grown in orchard at Foggia (Puglia region, southeastern Italy). The results show significant variations among investigated for many measured parameters; also significantly affected some data. As an average years, both Cavallo’ ‘Wonderful’ showed highest numbers (16.8 15.2, respectively) weights (9.3 Kg, per tree. had percentage edible portions (58.5%), most intense red color juice (a* value, 11.7), a light-red skin (despite its name) 31.1) smallest fruits (26.7% diameter ≤ 80 mm). Total soluble solids all were considerable above minimum value (12 °Brix) required use. presented acidity (2.5 g citric acid 100 mL−1) lowest MI therefore it was classified as sour. Both higher phenolic contents (591.0 519.1 mg mL−1, than other cultivars, while antioxidant activity (6.4 mmol TE L−1). Stepwise Discriminant Analysis procedure allowed differentiation cultivars. Correlation analysis relation different traits. present data are helpful selection elite desirable pomegranate to be used production.