Investigation of Variability of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Using Morphological, Pomological Traits and Microsatellite Markers

Abstract

Based on 10 (morphological, pomological, phenological) traits and using 10 microsatellite molecular markers, 17 Azerbaijani apricot cultivars and accessions have been evaluated. All the genotypes manifested a high level of variability. Based on the size, fruits were divided into 2 groups: small fruits (< 40 g) and large fruits (> 40 g). Cultivars such as Ordubad eriyi, Ag erik, Mayovka (Terter) and Ag erik Gulnar with fruit weight above 70 g were estimated as very large. In general, fruits had yellow skin ground color and flesh color as well as high TSS. A high correlation was observed between bud break season and blossom season, bud break season and harvest season, bud break season and leaf fall season, blossom season and harvest season, blossom season and leaf fall season, harvest season and leaf fall season. However, a low or insignificant correlation was found between other pomological or phenological characteristics. According to the PCA results, 100% of the total variance among cultivars is attributed to the first seven components. NJ cluster analysis divided apricot cultivars into three main groups. The number of cultivars in the I, II and III clusters were, respectively, eight, seven and two. A total of 60 alleles, ranging from 3 to 9 alleles were revealed by molecular data obtained from microsatellite markers. The average of expected heterozygosity (He), observed heterozygosity (Ho) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were found to be 0.68, 0.77, and 0.63, respectively. The article presents the results of the first genetic diversity analysis of apricot cultivars from the regions. We believe the study will contribute to the effective management and sustainable utilization of apricot germplasm in future breeding programs in the regions.