Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.; Fabaceae) a unique tree is valued not only for its fruits and timber but also for its shade, making it a popular avenue tree. It thrives in diverse climates and soils, particularly in semiarid regions, due to its deep root system, making it valuable in areas prone to water scarcity and high temperatures. It is now extensively grown in subtropical and semi-arid tropical regions of the world particularly common in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. In this study, the morpho-physico-chemical variations of 30 tamarind genotypes were evaluated using multivariate analysis based on 28 variables which is essential for tree improvement. This study characterizes a collection of 30 tamarind genotypes based on a range of qualitative and quantitative traits to assess phenotypic diversity. The analysis revealed wide variation across most of the traits, indicating their potential for distinguishing germplasm diversity. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for tree height (24.34 and 21.26), stem girth (26.63 and 23.72), tree spread E-W (23.50 and 21.68), tree spread N-S (27.46 and 24.38), pod yield kg/tree (29.98 and 27.56), pod length (25.29 and 24.51), pod breadth (22.08 and 21.92), pulp weight (30.49 and 28.58), and pod weight 31.03 and 29.74), which indicates these traits display high variation, suggesting significant potential for selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for the most of traits which were influenced by additive or fixable genetic variation. Path coefficient analysis revealed that traits, such as stem girth and tree spread showed direct effects on pod yield, while other characters contributed indirectly. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that PC-1 accounted for approximately 27.648% of the total variance, followed by PC-2 (18.250%), and PC-3 (15.835%), and hierarchical clustering uncovered crucial genetic components and distinct clusters, which can be considered for targeted breeding strategies. Cluster II emerged as the most divergent cluster, due to its the highest inter-cluster distances with other clusters and the highest intra-cluster distance. The results demonstrate how varied germplasm might be used to improve tamarind cultivars. To overcome heterogeneity in desired features, a complete collection of 28 morphological descriptors is provided to characterize, evaluate, and identify tamarind genotypes. The results underscore the importance of phenotypic diversity for developing core collections with enhanced variability and for designing targeted tamarind tree breeding strategies. This study provides valuable insights for the improvement and conservation of tamarind germplasm, a valuable species with considerable potential for fruit production and other economic uses. Not applicable. Not applicable.

The cultivation and trade of underutilized fruits are gaining prominence worldwide, largely on account of their capacity to contribute to a nutritious diet. Manila tamarind [Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth] is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree, with a fairly high tolerance to abiotic stresses. Despite significant potential in terms of food, fodder, timber, and medicine, it has largely remained an orphan crop. There is a dearth of systematic research on the exploration, conservation, and genetic improvement of Manila tamarind. Our study aimed to assess the genetic variability for commercially important fruit, aril, and leaf attributes in 22 diverse accessions of Manila tamarind comprising both white and red aril genotypes. Precise characterization of the existing genetic resources is a requisite for the commercial cultivation of Manila tamarind. The study was conducted with 15 white and 7 red accessions of P. dulce, which were planted in a square system of planting between and within row distances of 5 m each. One of the major contributions of the present study was that we examined genotypic variations in biochemical attributes, such as TSS, acidity, TSS: acidity ratio, total sugars, ascorbic acid, protein, mineral contents, and bioactive compounds; these factors significantly improve the nutritional value and eating quality of Manila tamarind arils. Most of the traits examined by us differed remarkably (p < 0.001) among the accessions. Some economically relevant traits, such as pulp weight, aril weight, aril total phenols, aril flavonoids, aril total antioxidant activity, and leaf flavonoids exhibited a high degree of variability, indicating the scope for the selection of elite genotypes and divergent parents for future hybridization programs. The highly variable values of total soluble solids (17.33–26.46 °Brix), acidity (0.54–1.07%), ascorbic acid (82.54-138.49 mg 100 g− 1), total sugars (12.45–18.81%), and aril protein (3.15–6.32%) recorded in this study broadly meet fresh consumption and aril processing standards for Manila tamarind. A significant finding was that Manila tamarind accessions differed greatly in aril mineral contents (mg/100 g FW), including potassium (220.44-334.33), phosphorus (21.63–62.34), and calcium (14.06–39.12). Overall, two red aril genotypes (CHESM-27 and CHESM-33), and three white aril genotypes (CHESM-4, CHESM-20, and CHESM-24) were found to be particularly promising in terms of pod and aril quality attributes. Our findings are expected to pay the way for commercial cultivation of elite Manila tamarind genotypes, and their applications in pharmaceutical applications. Future studies should aim to elucidate the molecular basis of genetic diversity and relationships in Manila tamarind.

Background: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) belongs to the Ebenaceae family, which includes six genera and about 400 species. This study evaluated the genetic diversity of 100 persimmon accessions from Hatay province, Türkiye using 42 morphological and pomological traits, along with inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and multivariate analysis. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the accessions (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The coefficient of variation ranged from 19.24% for leaf length to 133.89% for fruit calyx groove end, with 97.62% of traits showing more than 20% variation. This indicates high genetic variability. Fruit weight, length, and diameter varied greatly, with strong positive correlations between fruit weight and other traits. Principal component analysis explained 72.42% of the total variance, while cluster analysis showed varying levels of similarity among accessions. ISSR analysis identified 139 bands, 128 of which were polymorphic. The similarity index ranged from 0.41 to 0.96. Notably, accessions ‘P78’, ‘P7’, ‘P48’, ‘P29’, ‘P44’, ‘P25’, ‘P5’, ‘P98’, ‘P80’, ‘P50’, ‘P37’, ‘P77’, ‘P57’, ‘P56’, ‘P41’, ‘P73’, ‘P39’, ‘P65’, ‘P72’, and ‘P61’ were identified as promising candidates for further study. Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant genetic diversity in persimmon accessions from Hatay. The high variability supports adaptability and resilience. Positive correlations among traits, especially fruit weight, are useful for breeding. ISSR markers highlighted valuable polymorphic bands, underlining the importance of local germplasm for developing resilient cultivars. Variations in growth vigor and ripening dates offer opportunities for customized cultivation practices, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) is a resilient fruit species gaining importance due to its nutritional and health-promoting properties, especially in arid and semi-arid regions like Türkiye. Despite its growing significance, limited comprehensive research exists on the variability in its biochemical and nutraceutical traits. This study aimed to assess 100 wild cactus pear accessions collected from Hatay province, Türkiye evaluating a broad range of traits, including biochemical properties, antioxidant activities, fatty acid profiles, organic acid, mineral compositions, and sensory characteristics. Extensive variability was observed among the accessions. Total phenolics ranged from 68.17 to 109.92 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ FW, antioxidant activity (ABTS) from 13.74 to 35.40 mmol Trolox kg⁻¹ DW, and β-carotene from 3.11 to 6.87 µg β-CE 100 g⁻¹ FW. Notably, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid were the predominant fatty acids, while citric acid was the major organic acid. High levels of essential minerals such as potassium (1473.21–2113.57 mg kg⁻¹ DW) and calcium (201.77–325.91 mg kg⁻¹ DW) were found. Sensory evaluations revealed accessions with high aroma, sweet taste, and juiciness. Significant positive correlations were detected between total phenolics and antioxidant activity (DPPH, r = 0.45, p ≤ 0.01) and β-carotene and antioxidant activity (ABTS, r = 0.55, p ≤ 0.01). A total of 20 superior genotypes were identified based on their exceptional biochemical and organoleptic traits. The first five of these genotypes are ‘CP53’, ‘CP61’, ‘CP6’, ‘CP44’, and ‘CP15’. Principal component analysis (PCA) results showed that the first three components explained 26.40% of the total variation, with PC1 and PC2 being key for distinguishing cactus pear genotypes based on nutritional and sensory traits relevant to breeding programs. Within the framework of hierarchical cluster analysis, the similarity index ranged from 0.59 to 0.94, with the highest similarity observed between the genotypes ‘CP50’ and ‘CP56’. The cactus pear accessions studied demonstrated significant potential for use in breeding programs aimed at enhancing fruit quality for nutritional and industrial purposes. These findings contribute valuable insights for the conservation and utilization of wild cactus pear genetic resources, supporting the development of functional food products and sustainable cultivation strategies in Mediterranean climates.