Characterization of new apricot cultivars by RAPD markers

A. Uzun, O. Gulsen, Y. AkaKacar, V. Aras, A. Demirel, M. Bircan, S. Paydas and A. Yildiz

Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey-33740;Department of Horticulture, University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey-0'330.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.29

Key words: Apricot, Prunus armeniaca, RAPD, molecular markers
Abstract: Molecular markers are the most widely used tools in cultivar and species identification. The objective of this study was to characterize some Turkish and European cultivars and new apricot cultivars derived by hybridization between Turkish and European apricot cultivars using RAPD markers. Five new, two local cultivars, and four promising hybrids from Turkey, and 13 cultivars from Europe, North America, South Africa were characterized. Sixty RAPD primers produced 57 polymorphic and 79 monomorphic markers, totaling 136. All the 136 markers were used to construct a dendogram based on UPGMA. All cultivars were distinguished from each other with the similarity value ranging from 0.90 to 0.96. Known hybrids were grouped between or close to either one of parental genotypes. This study may imply narrow genetic diversity among the most widely grown apricot cultivars in the world.



Journal of Applied Horticulture