Molecular characterization of apricot cultivars with SSR markers

Apricot is in the Rosaceae (Rosaceae) family and is called Prunus armeniaca L. It is a fruit commonly grown in many countries including Turkey in different climatic conditions. In this study, the differences between apricot genotypes were investigated by using SSR marker technique in 7 different apricot varieties obtained from Mersin Mut Topluca Village private garden. As a result of the analysis with SSR markers, apricot cultivars were grouped with UPGMA method by using NTSYS-pc program. At the end of the analyses, two main groups emerged among apricot species and the similarity coefficients of these two groups varied between 0.677-0.938. The first main group consisted of subgroups within itself. Iğdır Şalağı, Septik and Şekerpare were in the first sub group, and Italian Tokalı and Çağataybey were in the second sub group. The second main group was divided into 2 sub-groups. Al was in the first sub-group and Bebeko was in the second sub-group. Polymorphisms that can distinguish the Iğdır Şalağı and Septik cultivars from each other could not be produced and therefore the two cultivars were grouped together. Close correlations were observed among Iğdır şalağı, Septik and Şekerpare, between İtalyan tokalı and Çağataybey; and between Al and Bebeko cultivars. The lowest similarity value was determined between Al and İtalyan Tokalı as 0.677. The highest similarity coefficient value (0,9389) was determined between the Septik and Iğdır Şalağı cultivars. In view of the data obtained, SSR findings belonging to the apricot cultivars grown in Turkey can make an important step in the parental choice for breeding activities in the country. In addition, they can be used to determine the spreading areas of apricot cultivars, to compare genetic collections and to characterize apricot genotypes.