Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Chinese Wild Apple Species Along with Apple Cultivars Using SSR Markers

We examined the genetic diversity and relatedness among apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) cultivars in Japan. The 42 apple cultivars, including major cultivars in Japan, were divided into five groups based on SSR genotypes. Most economically important cultivars belong in three groups: Fuji-Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Jonathan groups, and their genetic backgrounds seemed to be narrow. We also investigated the parent-offspring relationships of nine apple cultivars. `Jonathan', `Fuji', and `Rero 11' were identified as the respective paternal parents of three cultivars described as having unknown paternal parents (i.e., `Akagi', `Ambitious', and `Hokuto'). `Starking Delicious', `Senshu', and `Golden Delicious', rather than `Ralls Janet', `Hatsuaki', and `Indo', seemed to be the paternal parents of `Kinsei', `Kiou', and `Mellow', respectively. `Carolina Red June' was excluded as a paternal parent of `Ranzan'. Both attributed parents of `Scarlet' (`Akane' and `Starking Delicious') were excluded, and it was suggested that `Fuji' was used as either a maternal or a paternal parent of `Scarlet'. `Jonathan' rather than `McIntosh' seems to be a maternal parent of `Yukari'.

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Microsatellite loci variability in apple cultivars developed at VIR

PROCEEDINGS ON APPLIED BOTANY GENETICS AND BREEDING ◽

10.30901/2227-8834-2021-3-151-158 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 182 (3) ◽

pp. 151-158

Author(s):

A. V. Shlyavas ◽

A. A. Trifonova ◽

I. S. Chepinoga ◽

A. S. Sidnin ◽

K. V. Boris

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Ssr Markers ◽

Collection Management ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Rare Alleles ◽

Pcr Products ◽

Apple Cultivars ◽

Place Of Origin ◽

High Level ◽

Traits For Breeding

Background. Microsatellite (SSR) markers are now widely used both for studying genetic diversity in fruit crop collections, including apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), and for genotyping individual accessions. The apple collection held by VIR, being the largest in Russia, contains cultivars bred at five experiment stations of VIR. These cultivars not only meet the requirements of horticulture in the region of their origin, but also are interesting as sources of valuable traits for breeding programs. However, these cultivars have not previously been studied using microsatellite markers. Materials and methods. A set of 10 SSR markers (CH02c02b, CH03d01, CH01f03b, CH02d08, CH02c02a, CH05e03, CH02c09, CHVf1, CH01h01, COL) was used for genotyping 35 apple cultivars developed at VIR and four parental forms. Fluorescently labeled PCR products were separated by capillary electrophoresis on ABI Prism 3130xl.Results. In 35 apple cultivars from VIR, 97 alleles were identified at ten studied loci. The number of alleles per locus varied from 5 (CH02c02b) to 17 (CH02c02a). The frequency of unique alleles was 26,8%, with 12,4% for rare alleles. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values varied from 0,49 (CH02c02b) to 0,91 (CH02c02a) and averaged 0,76. Expected and observed heterozygosity levels averaged 0,79 and 0,56, respectively. Cluster analysis did not reveal a clear division of cultivars according to the place of origin (experiment stations of VIR), but revealed clustering according to pedigrees.Conclusion. A high level of polymorphism was observed in 35 apple cultivars from VIR using ten SSR markers. The obtained data on the allelic composition of the studied cultivars can be used for their identification and contribute to more efficient collection management. Further studying and SSR genotyping of VIR’s apple collection and comparison with the data obtained in the presented work can help to identify the origin of cultivars with unknown pedigrees.

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