Growth and yield characteristics of quince cultivars

The characteristics of growth and yield of seven quince cultivars: ‘Vranjska’, ‘Morava’, ‘Pazardzijska’, ‘Hemus’, ‘Asenica’, ‘Portugal’ and ‘Triumph’ were studied in the Belgrade region during the four-year period (2010-2013) in comparison with the cultivar ‘Leskovacka’, which was used as the standard. The tested cultivars were significantly different in terms of vigour and productivity. The lowest vigour was shown by ‘Leskovacka’ cultivar and the highest by ‘Portugal’ and ‘Morava’. The highest yield tree^-1 and unit area^-1 was found in ‘Triumph’ and ‘Portugal’, and the lowest in standard cultivar. With the exception of ‘Vranjska’ and ‘Pazardzijska’, the other cultivars had significantly higher yields tree^-1 and unit area^-1 than the standard cultivar. Although ‘Leskovacka’ had the lowest yields tree^-1 and unit area^-1, due to low vigour, it had higher yield efficiency than most of the studied cultivars. Based on the cropping potential, for commercial growing ‘Triumph’ and ‘Portugal’ can be recommended. Also, these cultivars are good starting material in quince breeding and creating new cultivars of high cropping potential.