Preliminary observations on some Sicilian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties

The pomological and analytical characteristics of 6 Sicilian pomegranate selections: 'Dente di Cavallo:'Neirana: 'Profeta,' Racalmuto,' 'Ragana,' and 'Selinunte' were studied in the same experimental orchard located in Sicily in comparison to those of the 'Roja' Spanish cultivar grown in the same environment. The average characteristics of the indigenous accessions were somewhat less attractive than the Spanish cultivar. All the tested accessions had qualitative characteristics that fit general commercial requirements. However, significant statistical differences emerged among the cultivars for all the observed pomological and analytical characteristics. Compositional analyses revealed that, with the exception of 'Racalmuto,' all the local accessions can be included in the group of sweet cultivars. 'Racalmuto' had the highest fruit weight, the lowest percentage of pulp and, because of the lowest titratable acidity, showed a value of total soluble solids content/titratable acidity 4-5 times less than the average of the remaining accessions. Overall, a considerable amount of variation has been found among the different local accessions, especially as far as number of arils per fruit and titratable acidity are concerned.