The investigation of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.: Nemata) resistance in almond rootstocks with DNA markers

Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) is an economically important stone fruit species of our country. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause economic yield losses in many fruits and vegetables. Rootstocks used in Prunus species is susceptible to root-knot nematode and that the nematode resistance in rootstock breeding is an important character. Myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera) is resistant to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Markers exhibiting tight linkage for resistance against nematodes have been developed. With markers-based selection; pest and disease resistance could be monitored. Plants with desired characters could be identified in a relatively short period thus saving time and cost that could that provide benefits such as use as parents in the beginning. In our country, selection of almond and plum F1 hybrids with DNA marker systems in terms of nematode resistance has not been studied. The work presented here is made for the first time in almonds. In order to determine the root-knot nematode resistance in almond rootstocks, 7 parental lines and 353 F1 individuals were used. Parental lines and F1 populations were screened with SSR (plgms8, plgms9, plgms17 and plgms19), STS (STS-OPS14 the STS-834B) and SCAR (SCAL19, SCAFLP2, SCAFLP3, SCAFLP4, SCAFLP5) markers. According to the results of the chi-square, plgms19 and STS-OPS14a markers could be used for the determination of the resistance and susceptibility to root-knot nematodes, respectively.