Almond cultivation has a long-standing tradition on the island of Majorca, traditionally practiced under rainfed conditions. Currently, new plantations are established with irrigation; however, due to present conditions and the impacts of climate change, water availability is limited. The Government of the Balearic Islands permits a maximum water supply of 3000 m³ ha⁻¹ per year for almond cultivation. In this study, a 6-year field trial was conducted to investigate the adaptation of fourteen almond cultivars obtained from different research centers under deficit irrigation practices in the soil and climatic conditions of Majorca Island. The cultivars had a significant effect on trunk cross-sectional area TCSA, cumulative almond in-shell yield, cumulative kernel yield, yield efficiency, and shelling percentage. The ‘Marta’ and ‘Tarraco’ cultivars exhibited the highest TCSA values. Regarding cumulative almond in-shell yield, ‘Glorieta’ and ‘Constantí’ produced the highest yields, whereas the lowest yields were observed in ‘Mardía’ and ‘Tarraco’. In terms of shelling percentage, ‘Ferragnès’ exhibited the highest value. Kernel quality parameters were cultivar-specific. Additionally, oleic acid content was strongly negatively correlated with linoleic acid content. All cultivars exhibited an unsaturated fatty acid content exceeding 90%, with ‘Masbovera’ showing the highest value.

Carob pulp powder (CPP), a by-product of Ceratonia siliqua L., is rich in bioactive compounds with potential for functional foods. This study evaluated how genetic variability among cultivars affects the nutritional composition and functional quality of CPP. Nineteen cultivars from Majorca (13), Ibiza (4), and two open-flowering selections were grown under identical conditions in Majorca, Spain. CPP samples showed high dietary fibre (22.6–47.4 g/100 g dry matter), total sugars (22.5–62.5 g/100 g dm), and antioxidant activity (11.1–78.4 µmol TE/g dm, CUPRAC method). Significant differences among cultivars were observed in protein and fructose content, fatty acid profiles, antioxidant activity, colour, acidity, and functional properties like water- and oil-holding capacities. Principal component analysis distinguished the Ibiza cultivars by higher soluble solids, fructose, and stearic acid content but lower antioxidant activity. Open-flowering selections exhibited the highest antioxidant and water retention capacities. These results confirm that genetic origin strongly influences CPP’s nutritional and functional traits, endorsing its use as a natural, health-promoting ingredient for functional food development.

There is an increasing awareness of the potential usefulness of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) as a crop, due to its adaptability to agriculture in marginal lands and its capacity to confront foreseeable adverse climatic conditions. Moreover, in the food industry there is an increasing interest in this fruit as a functional ingredient, due to its physicochemical components and nutritional benefits. The species is traditionally cultivated in the Mediterranean region and a wide range of carob cultivars have been developed. The present work aims to evaluate yield and morphological pod and seed characteristics from 9 different cultivars from Majorca (Spain). Statistically significant differences were found among the cultivars for the characteristics examined, indicating a high genetic diversity. A correlation analysis between yield and morphological parameters exhibited a negative correlation between seed yield and pod width, length, weight and thickness; a positive correlation of pod weight with pod length, width and thickness, and negative correlation between seed weight and carob sex. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to separate the different carob cultivars and establish three main groups. In the first of them, a great phenotypic diversity is evident. A two-dimensional model was found to be significant and explained 77.66% of the observed variability, the first component being mainly dominated by pod characteristics and seed yield (57.72%) and the second component mainly by seed parameters (19.94%).