Combination of Simple Sequence Repeat, S-Locus Polymorphism and Phenotypic Data for Identification of Tunisian Plum Species (Prunus spp.)
Publication Overview
Abstract Plums (Prunus spp.) are among the first fruit tree species that attracted human interest.
Artificial crosses between wild and domesticated species of plums are still paving
the way for creation of new phenotypic variability. In Tunisia, despite a considerable
varietal richness of plum as well as a high economic value, the plum sector
is experiencing a significant regression. The main reason of this regression is the
absence of a national program of plum conservation. Hence, this work was aimed to
phenotypically and genetically characterize 23 Tunisian plum accessions to preserve
this patrimony. Closely related Prunus species from the same subgenus may be differing
at two characteristics: ploidy level and phenotypic traits. In this study, single
sequence repeat (SSR) markers allowed distinguishing between eighteen diploid
accessions and five polyploid accessions, but SSR data alone precluded unambiguous
ploidy estimation due to homozygosity. In contrast, S-allele markers were useful
to identify the ploidy level between polyploid species, but they did not distinguish
species with the same ploidy level. Seven out of 12 phenotypic traits were shown
to be discriminant traits for plum species identification. Molecular and phenotypic
traits were significantly correlated and revealed a powerful tool to draw taxonomic
and genotypic keys. The results obtained in this work are of great importance for
local Tunisian plum germplasm management.
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