Seed characterisation of five new pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties

This study evaluated the production of five new pomegranate varieties (ME14, ME15, PTO2, PTO7 and CRO1), being all indigenous to Southeastern Spain where the species shows high variability. A morphological and organoleptic characterisation of the edible portion of the seeds were investigated. Some chemical characteristics of the juice, including total soluble solids, pH, acidity and maturity index, were assessed. Morphological characteristics of both the edible and the woody portions of the seed were evaluated. Also productive and organoleptic characteristics of all varieties were considered, being ME14 and ME15 the highest yielders. Furthermore, PTO2 and CRO1 showed the heaviest seeds (both showing an average weight of 0.61 g) while ME15 the lightest one (0.37 g). Regarding seed juice content, there were significant differences among the evaluated varieties; whereas PTO2 and CRO1 showed the highest juice contents, PTO7 yielded the lowest one. However, the cultivar PTO7 showed a significantly higher acidity content than the others, along with the lowest maturity index at all. Finally, ME14 and ME 15 were very interesting because of their high production, large fruit size and excellent seed organoleptic characteristics.