Kadir Ugurtan Yilmaz

Determination of genetic diversity among wild grown apricots from Sakit valley in Turkey using SRAP markers

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) marker was employed first time to analyze genetic diversity of 57 seed propagated early-maturated wild grown apricot genotypes sampled from different parts of Sakit valley in Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Of the total 19 primer combinations investigated, 16 could amplify clearly and consistently. They produced a total of 87 fragments, of which 56 (64.3%) were polymorphic bands. All bands obtained from Me3-Em2, Me2-Em10 and Me2-Em6 primers were polymorphic. The cluster analysis revealed that the 57 genotypes were grouped into three major clusters. The similarity ratio among genotypes was between 0.73 and 0.94. There were no identical genotypes. The study revealed that SRAP marker system was useful in identification and genetic diversity analysis of wild grown apricots.

Genetic Diversity in Apricot

Apricot is a fruit species adopted to a wide geographical areas (De Poerderle, 1788; Loudon, 1838; Arakelyan, 1968; Mehlenbacher et al. 1991; Huxley, 1992; Butner, 2001). 173 years ago, Loudon (1838) was first to mention that wild apricots with different shades of pink flowers had been used as ornamental purpose for centuries. Nowadays commercial production areas of apricots are still very limited with a small number of varieties, although they spread across a wide area all over the world. Looking at the statistics, the production value has been observed to show upward trend by years. This increase in production is closely related with breeding studies in different countries. Breeding programs were modified generally according to consumer’s demands and also some subjects such as resistance to diseases (Sharka, Monilinia etc.) and frost damages, determination of self-(in)compatibility.