Evaluation of Pomological Traits and Fatty Acid Composition of Some Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars in Bursa, Turkey

The pomological properties and nutritional values of walnuts vary according to the cultivars and ecological conditions. This study aims to determine some pomological properties and fatty acid compositions of some domestic ('Bilecik', 'Maraş 12', 'Maraş 18', 'Şebin', 'Şen1', 'Şen 2') and foreign walnut cultivars (‘Chandler', 'Fernette', 'Fernor', 'Howard', 'Pedro', 'Serr') grown in Bursa (northwest in Turkey) conditions in 2016-2017. The nut weight of cultivars ranged from 9.19 g (Maraş 12) to 16.20 g (Şen 1). Average nutwidth varied from 28.84 mm (Maraş 12) to 38.50 mm (Şen 1), nut thickness was between 27.91 mm (Maraş 12) and 37.09 mm (Şen 1). Nut length was between 34.70 mm (Maraş 12) and 41.63 mm (Şen 1). Kernel percent and shell thickness varied from 41.77 (Pedro) to 58.06% (Şebin) and 1.10 mm (Şebin) to 1.92 mm (Fernor), respectively. The total oil content of the samples ranged from 60.95 (Bilecik) to 66.00% (Şebin). The linoleic acid content ranged from 53.76 (Maraş 18) to 65.37% (Bilecik), and the linolenic acid content was between 8.12 (Şebin) and 11.89% (Bilecik). The oleic acid content of the oils ranged from 12.45 (Bilecik) to 23.21% (Şebin) of the total fatty acids. Palmitic (6.71-11.18%) and stearic acid (2.55-3.97%) were a considerable amount of the remaining fatty acids. 'Şebin,' 'Maraş 18', 'Chandler,' 'Fernor,' and 'Howard' were found to be outstanding cultivars for fruit quality traits and fatty acid profiles in Bursa conditions.