Elma Mechanical and Pomological Properties of Local Apple Varieties Distributed in Sheki Zaqatala Region

This research examined the mechanical and pomological properties of local apple varieties from the Sheki-Zagatala region, one of Azerbaijan's primary fruit-growing areas. The gene pool of the most valuable local apple varieties collected from the region is preserved at the Sheki Scientific Research Base of the Institute of Genetic Resources of the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan. In recent years, the pomological and morphological characteristics of 16 species collected from the region during expeditions have been studied, including the Guzugoren, Yaylıg, Sıgan, Dash, Paslı, Khanimgız, Atasan, Israil, Teker, Shor, Chichek, Balaken, Qabag, Mughal, Daranbul and Qırmısıyanag species. During the study, it was found that apple varieties of folk selection in the northwestern region differ from each other in terms of mechanical and pomological characteristics. Among the varieties collected from the region, fruits with a depressed shape and low acidity predominate.