Molecular characterization of some rootstock candidates in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

which are candidates for pistachio rootstocks, and the hybrid options of rootstocks and the predicted values of genetic variants. A total of 37 F1 hybrid genotypes and 10 parental genotypes obtained as a result of cross-breeding with P.eurycarpa, P.atlantica, P. terebinthus and P.integerrima and UCB-1 genotypes were investigated using 38 SSR primers. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 3 to 17, resulting in a total of 355 alleles. The average number of alleles was calculated as 9.34. The highest number of alleles (Na=17) was obtained from the CUPSiBa4072 and CUPSiPa2059 loci. The number of effective alleles ranged from 2.02 (CUPSiPa725) to 10.42 (CUPOhPa3954), with a mean of Ne=5.01. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.32 to 0.95 and the mean Ho was calculated as 0.74. The highest observed heterozygosity was determined at the CUPOhPa1636, CUPSiPa3238 and CUPSiOh2390 loci. The mean expected heterozygosity was calculated as He=0.77 and the CUPOhPa3954 (He=0.90) locus had the highest He value. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.44 (CUPSiPa725) to 0.90 (CUPOhPa3954), and the average PIC value was calculated as 0.74. As a result of genetic diversity analysis, the range of alleles was determined between 89 bp and 258 bp. Phylogenetic of genotypes was generated in 6 subgroups by UPGMA analysis. The genetically greatest distances between genotypes Pe-G1-13 x Pint-Pi*14 to Pe-G1-20 x Pint-Pi*18, Pe-G1-20 x Pint-Pi*23, Pe-G1-13 and Pe-G1-20 identified among the genotypes. However, the closest genetic similarity was determined between Pint-BY paternal parent and Pa-G2-2 x Pint-BY*37. In this study, genetic characterization of SSR markers of interspecies Pistacia F1 hybrids and genetic relationships of rootstock candidates were determined. These results obtained in the present study can be used in the evaluation of rootstock candidates in the future. Key Words: Rootstock, hybrids, Pistacia, characterization, SSR