Clonal selection and molecular characterization of çataloğlu apricot variety

Çataloğlu is a productive drying apricot cultivar that is tolerant to late spring frosts and, following Hacıhaliloğlu and Kabaaşı, is the most extensively grown cultivar. The rapid spread of this cultivar in the Malatya ecology and the presence of numerous different clones make it important to identify high-yielding and high-quality clones and introduce them into production. This study was conducted in the districts of Malatya (Yeşilyurt, Doğanşehir, Darende, Yazıhan, Kale, Hekimhan, Battalgazi, Akçadağ). In the study, 22 different clones and the registered standard Çataloğlu apricot cultivar in the National Genetic Resources Plot within the Apricot Research Institute Directorate were examined as a control. The total value scores of the clones were determined using the Modified Weighted Ranking Method, and their molecular characterization was carried out using the next-generation sequencing (DArT) technique. Phenological observations were taken and morphological characteristics were examined during the field studies of Çataloğlu clone selection. The ages of the clones were determined to range from 5 to 38 years, and their canopy widths, canopy heights, and trunk circumferences were measured as 420–1203 cm, 265–1280 cm, and 37–139 cm, respectively. In the laboratory studies, fruit analyses were conducted, and DNA was isolated from the leaves for molecular characterization. Following the DNA isolation stage, the samples were sent to Diversity Arrays Technology (Australia). In terms of fruit characteristics, the fruit weights of the clones ranged from 26.66 to 46.41 g, the flesh/seed ratio ranged from 12.93 to 19.37, and the soluble solids content (SSC) varied between 21.67% and 27.30 °Brix. The molecular analysis of the Çataloğlu clones, using PCA and clustering analyses, revealed that the genetic structure of the clones was largely similar, but that the Çataloğlu 19 clone was genetically significantly different.