Investigation of Aril Characteristics of Some Autochthonous Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) Varieties in Macedonia

The individual aril characteristics of eight autochthonous pomegranate varieties (Lifanka, Bejnarija, Karamustafa, Ropkavac, Valandovska, LC, Zumnarija and Hicaz) from R. Macedonia were investigated using computer vision software methods. The great differences in the dimension of aril at the varieties were determined. The variety Lifanka is characterized with the greatest length (12.6 mm), width (9.5 mm) and mass (0.5 g) of the aril. Cross section aril area (61.1 mm2) and perimeter (31.6 mm) indicate that the variety ‘Hicaz’ is characterized with the smallest aril. Investigation of the aril shape showed different level of asymmetry depending on the variety. Generally, the variety Hicaz is characterized with the most asymmetrical aril. Based on CIELab system of coloration, great differences in the aril colour were noted among the investigated pomegranate varieties. The variety Hicaz had the darkest coloration (L* 19.3; a* 13.1; b* 5.3). High correlation dependence between coloration and shape and mass was determined.