REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF A DIVERSE APRICOT (PRUNUS ARMENIACA L.) GERMPLASM FROM THE REGIONS OF HODNA AND AURÈS IN ALGERIA
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Université de M'sila
Abstract
Gametophytic self-incompatibility, governed by the S-locus, functions in Prunus species including the apricot to protect self-pollination of flowers. Knowledge of the S-genotypes in apricot cultivars is essential to establishing productive orchards, defining combinations of compatible cultivars.
Objective : In this study, reproductive biology of 92 apricot cultivated accessions from the regions of Aurés (semi-arid) and Hodna (semi-arid to arid) in Algeria has been evaluated.
Methods : The cultivated accessions assayed included local Algerian cultivars and French and Spanish introduced cultivars with kwon S-alleles. Percentage of fertilized flowers and fruit set was evaluated in field conditions by bagging. To identify the S-alleles associated with self-incompatibility, two pairs of specific primers were tested using PCR. This PCR-based molecular tool allows S-genotypes to be characterized quickly and efficiently.
Results : The origin of the apricot accessions does not influence the percentage of fertilized flowers and fruit set. Location and Year, however, have a significant influence. On the other hand, results showed a great diversity in terms of S-alleles in the Algerian germplasm. Some of these apricot cultivars are self-incompatible, and so to obtain a yield they need to be pollinated with cross-compatible cultivars.
Conclusion : Results indicate that Algerian apricots represent an interesting source of new self-compatible germplasm adapted to dry conditions for Mediterranean apricot breeding programs. Determination of the S-genotype might be considered as an important addition to a set of identity markers of apricot genetic resources
Description
Keywords
Apricot, Fruit sets, Self-incompatibility, Crosspollination, germplasm.