Molecular characterization of pomegranate(punica granatum l.) genotypes with ssr markers

ABSTRACT M.Sc. Thesis MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L.) GENOTYPES WITH SSR MARKERS Halime Keriman Çetinkaya Isparta University of Applied Sciences The Institute of Graduate Education Department of Agricultural Biotechnology Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Yaşar KARAKURT In this thesis, it is aimed to determine the differences between pomegranate genotypes from molecular markers by using SSR technique. Pomegranate is known to be a fruit grown in tropical and subtropical climate zone belonging to Lythraceae family. Within the scope of the study, 10 kind of pomegranates and a pomegranate from a small private garden have been used for molecular analyzes from the Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute in the Antalya Region of the Mediterranean Region. To accomplish this objective, samples of genotypes in pomegranate species were taken under appropriate conditions and molecular analyzes were carried out in Isparta University of Applied Sciences Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory. As a result of analysis with SSR markers, pomegranate assortment has emerged as two main groups and 65% of the similarity has been detected between the groups as per the UPGMA method. The first main group consisted of 4 sub-groups. In the first sub-group Hicaz, in the second subgroup Asi, Batem Onur, Ernar, Batem Hicaz, the third sub-group Beynarı and the fourth sub-group Batem Esin, Batem Yılmaz and Ekşilik took place. The second main group is divided into 2 sub-groups. In the first sub-group Katırbaşı and in the second sub-group Fellahyemez took place. Polymorphisms that distinguish Batem Onur and Ernar from each other could not be produced hence these two assortments were grouped together. Hicaz, Beynar, Ekşilik, Katırbaşı and Fellahyemez types formed a subgroup alone. In the study, a close correlation between Aşınar and Batem Onur-Ernar, Batem Esin and Batem Yılmaz has been observed. SSR findings of pomegranate species, creating a step in the selection of the next breeding parents in determining the span of pomegranate genotypes for comparison of the genetic collection can be used in the characterization of pomegranate genotypes. Key Words: Marker, Molecular Characterization, SSRs, Pomegranate 2019, 24 page