Does climate change have an effect on proline accumulation in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits

Abstract

Pomegranate is one of the oldest subtropical fruits cultivated in Turkey and surrounding areas. The country has very rich pomegranate genetic resources mostly found in semi-arid and arid areas. In this study we examined change of proline content in three well known pomegranate cultivars namely Hicaz, Oguzeli and Devedisi in year 2007 and 2008. There were wide climatic differences between years and 2008 were found to be more dry and hot compared to 2007. The proline content varied among pomegranate cultivars and particularly years. In year 2007, average proline content of three pomegranate cultivars were 30 mg/l while it was 93 mg/l in year 2008, indicating that climatic change affects proline accumulation in pomegranate fruits and in hot and dry years, proline accumulation in fruits increases.    Key words: Pomegranate, climate changes, desertification, proline.