Characterization of Quince (Cydonia) Cultivars Using Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
An investigation of available Cydonia (Cydonia oblonga Mill., quince, membrillo) germplasm by isozyme staining of anionic polyacrylamide gradient electrophoresis gels is described. The isozymes of acid phosphatase, esterase, peroxidase and phenol oxidase showed most diversity and usefulness for this purpose. Eleven groups of quince and two groups of x Pyronia (quince-pear crosses) were distinguished by their isozyme patterns. These patterns distinguish between groups of clonal accessions, and the patterns were constant for each accession during the test period (December, 1986 to August, 1987). Thus, these patterns were considered to represent genetic characteristics suitable for identification purposes. The diversity of isozyme patterns was much less than in Corylus and Pyrus populations previously sampled; and less than that of a restricted pool of apple cultivars previously examined.