Effects of climatic conditions on the physical and extensional properties of pomegranate fruit peel in Malas-e-Saveh and Yousefkhani cultivars

Purpose: This research was carried out to investigate the physical and extensional properties of fruit peel in two commercially grown pomegranate cultivars across three distinct climatic conditions in Iran. Research method: Two pomegranate cultivars were examined in a factorial experiment in frame of completely randomized design across three producing regions, including Saveh, Sari, and Aliabad. Findings: The findings revealed that Yousefkhani had a higher crown diameter compared to Malas-e-Saveh. Among the regions studied, Saveh and Aliabad produced fruits with the highest and lowest fruit weight and percentage of membranous septum, respectively. Additionally, Sari and Aliabad, which have humid weather conditions, produced fruits with a lower crown diameter and membranous septum thickness compared to Saveh, which has dry weather conditions. Furthermore, the highest percentage of moisture in the fleshy mesocarp and peel and the lowest percentage of moisture in membranous septum were found in fruits cultivated in Sari and Aliabad, respectively. The results also showed that Malas-e-Saveh had the highest peel deformation in transversal oriented samples. Yousefkhani had a higher extension force compared to Malas-e-Saveh, while no significant difference was observed among regions or between the two sampling directions in these properties. Research limitations: None were found to report. Originality/Value: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that most pomegranate fruit characteristics were significantly influenced by cultivar and growing region. Yousefkhani exhibited a thicker peel, a higher percentage of fleshy mesocarp, and greater tolerance to extension force compared to Malas-e Saveh.