Bayram Murat Asma

Analysis of morphological, pomological and yield characteristics of some apricot germplasm in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to characterize the Irano-Caucasian apricot germplasm that was collected in Anatolia, Turkey. Fifteen (pomological, phenological, and yield) parameters were studied in this germplasm, consisting of 128 apricot cultivars and types. A wide variation was found in harvest season, fruit yield, total solids soluble (TSS), total acidity, fruit, pit, and kernel mass. Most of the cultivars and types had a relatively small fruit size; only seven had a fruit mass ≥50 g. In general, fruits had yellow skin ground color and flesh color as well as mostly sweet kernels and high TSS. While there was a high correlation between fruit, pit and kernel mass and also between TSS and total acidity, a low or no significant correlation was determined between other pomological or phenological characteristics. The Levent apricot type possessed a substantially late ripening with a total period of 190–200 days for fruit development, a characteristic that makes this apricot type highly suitable for breeding studies.

Loss of genetic diversity as a signature of apricot domestication and diffusion into the Mediterranean Basin

BackgroundDomestication generally implies a loss of diversity in crop species relative to their wild ancestors because of genetic drift through bottleneck effects. Compared to native Mediterranean fruit species like olive and grape, the loss of genetic diversity is expected to be more substantial for fruit species introduced into Mediterranean areas such as apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), which was probably primarily domesticated in China. By comparing genetic diversity among regional apricot gene pools in several Mediterranean areas, we investigated the loss of genetic diversity associated with apricot selection and diffusion into the Mediterranean Basin.ResultsAccording to the geographic origin of apricots and using Bayesian clustering of genotypes, Mediterranean apricot (207 genotypes) was structured into three main gene pools: ‘Irano-Caucasian’, ‘North Mediterranean Basin’ and ‘South Mediterranean Basin’. Among the 25 microsatellite markers used, only one displayed deviations from the frequencies expected under neutrality. Similar genetic diversity parameters were obtained within each of the three main clusters using both all SSR loci and only 24 SSR loci based on the assumption of neutrality. A significant loss of genetic diversity, as assessed by the allelic richness and private allelic richness, was revealed from the ‘Irano-Caucasian’ gene pool, considered as a secondary centre of diversification, to the northern and southwestern Mediterranean Basin. A substantial proportion of shared alleles was specifically detected when comparing gene pools from the ‘North Mediterranean Basin’ and ‘South Mediterranean Basin’ to the secondary centre of diversification.ConclusionsA marked domestication bottleneck was detected with microsatellite markers in the Mediterranean apricot material, depicting a global image of two diffusion routes from the ‘Irano-Caucasian’ gene pool: North Mediterranean and Southwest Mediterranean. This study generated genetic insight that will be useful for management of Mediterranean apricot germplasm as well as genetic selection programs related to adaptive traits.

Quality and nutritional property changes in stored dried apricots fumigated by sulfur dioxide

Apricots are grown in many countries and are marketed as dried or fresh. Sulfur fumigation is preferred as a low-cost pre-treatment to maintain apricot color. This study aims to determine the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentration on quality and nutritional properties of dried apricot fruits during storage. Apricot fruits were treated with different concentrations of SO2 (1,250, 2,000, and 3,500 mg·kg−1) and then stored at 20°C under 50–65% relative humidity conditions for 18 months. Fruit SO2 concentration decreased rapidly during the initial stage and then decreased at a slower rate. Fruit color darkening became more pronounced after 12 months, especially in the fruit treated with 1,250 and 2,000 mg·kg−1 SO2. After 18 months of storage, total phenolic content (839–890 mg GAE 100 g−1 dry weight), antioxidant activity (9.4–11.6 μmol TE g−1 dry weight), and β-carotene levels (42.7–47.6 mg·kg−1) of all treatments varied only slightly, despite lower values overall. Therefore, SO2 levels must be chosen based on the expected storage conditions and length of the storage period.

New insights into the history of domesticated and wild apricots and its contribution to Plum pox virus resistance

Studying domesticated species and their wild relatives allows understanding of the mechanisms of population divergence and adaptation, and identifying valuable genetic resources. Apricot is an important fruit in the Northern hemisphere, where it is threatened by the Plum pox virus (PPV), causing the sharka disease. The histories of apricot domestication and of its resistance to sharka are however still poorly understood. We used 18 microsatellite markers to genotype a collection of 230 wild trees from Central Asia and 142 cultivated apricots as representatives of the worldwide cultivated apricot germplasm; we also performed experimental PPV inoculation tests. The genetic markers revealed highest levels of diversity in Central Asian and Chinese wild and cultivated apricots, confirming an origin in this region. In cultivated apricots, Chinese accessions were differentiated from more Western accessions, while cultivated apricots were differentiated from wild apricots. An approximate Bayesian approach indicated that apricots likely underwent two independent domestication events, with bottlenecks, from the same wild population. Central Asian native apricots exhibited genetic subdivision and high frequency of resistance to sharka. Altogether, our results contribute to the understanding of the domestication history of cultivated apricot and point to valuable genetic diversity in the extant genetic resources of wild apricots.

Amygdalin in bitter and sweet seeds of apricots

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) poisoning due to amygdalin (AMY) in apricot seeds is one of the public health issues in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the AMY content of 13 different apricot seeds including bitter and sweet ones, and which are either sulfurized or roasted. The AMY content was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography. Release of HCN was predicted and total amount of seeds which can cause poisoning was calculated. The mean AMY content of bitter seeds was 26 ± 14 mg g−1 and that of sweet seeds was 0.16 ± 0.09 mg g−1. The consumption of small amounts of bitter seeds may cause cyanide poisoning.