Selection of medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) genotypes naturally grown in Tokat province in Turkey

The study was conducted in the city center, districts and villages of Tokat province in Turkey between 2010 and 2012. In the study, 2605 medlar genotypes, which are grown naturally in Tokat flora, were determined. As a result of an evaluation of genotypes among the population, 11 genotypes with superior characteristics were determined as cultivar candidate. The flowering of these 11 genotypes began between 26^th April and 6^th May and lasted 10-12 days. Fruits were harvested between 22^nd October and 10^th November. While the average fruit weight was found between 15.99 and 37.20 g, the ratio of seed weight/fruit weight was between 6.12-15.63%, and total dry matter was between 27.34-44.11%. The amount of total soluble solids was identified as 14.10-27.30% during the maturation period and 13.80-20.50% during the ripening period. Total acidity was ranged between 4.25 and 8.94 g L^-1 in the maturation period and 2.80-7.24 g L^-1 in the ripening period. Moreover, the amount of vitamin C in the maturation period varied between 8.00 and 30.00 mg 100 g^-1 while it was between 6.40 and 26.67 mg 100 g^-1 in the ripening period. Furthermore, the total phenolic substance of genotypes was determined between 10.64 and 92.05 mg 100 g^-1 in the maturation period and between 10.35 and 45.30 mg 100 g^-1 in the ripening period.