Morphological Characterization of Grape Genotypes Grown Under Kandahar Province of Afghanistan for Quality Traits
This study was conducted in 2023 at Kohkaran Research Farm, established by the Perennial Horticulture Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, to characterize the morphological traits of 22 grape genotypes. The evaluated genotypes comprised six seedless and 16 seeded genotypes: T1: Kandahari Sorkh, T2: Exotic, T3: Sahibi Sra 488, T4: Fantasy, T5: Perlette, T6: Keshmeshi Sia, T7: Tashkandi, T8: Black Emerald, T9: Aqa Ali 876, T10: Manaqa 801, T11: Lokh Shetor, T12: Shirahmadi Heart, T13: Husaini, T14: Awi, T15: Lal Sia, T16: Typi, T17: Loghi, T18: Shaker, T19: Lal Katadana, T20: Mahmodi, T21: Lal Maida Dana, and T22: Flame Seedless. Considerable variation was observed in bunch length, width, weight, volume and density, as well as berry length, width, length-to-width ratio, weight, volume, shape, seed presence, skin colour, and pulp colour. T16 (Typi) recorded the maximum bunch length (26.00 cm) and bunch volume (620.00 mL), while T4 (Fantasy) had the greatest bunch width (16.50 cm). The highest bunch weight (522.60 g) was recorded in T11 (Lokh Shetor). Dense bunches were observed in T14 (Awi), T15 (Lal Sia), T17 (Loghi), and T18 (Shaker), whereas loose bunches were recorded in T2 (Exotic), T4 (Fantasy), T5 (Perlette), T6 (Keshmeshi Sia), T9 (Aqa Ali 876), T11 (Lokh Shetor), T13 (Husaini), T16 (Typi), T20 (Mahmodi), T21 (Lal Maida Dana), and T22 (Flame Seedless). For berry characteristics, T11 (Lokh Shetor) had the maximum berry length (23.50 mm), T10 (Manaqa 801) had the maximum berry width (17.40 mm), and T13 (Husaini) recorded the highest length-to-width ratio (1.70). These findings demonstrate substantial morphological diversity among the evaluated grape genotypes and provide a basis for their characterization and selection in future grape improvement programmes in Afghanistan.