Genetic diversity in a core collection of Iranian sour cherry

Abstract

The exploitation of plant genetic resources is an important and rapid strategy to release commercial cultivars. In this study, 234 sour cherry genotypes were collected from various locations of Iran and phenotypically assessed according to IPGRI and UPOV descriptors. The genotypes were grafted onto Mahaleb rootstock and were planted in Horticultural Science Research Institute (HSRI) core collection in Karaj, Iran. In this study, 22 different characteristics were measured in the sour cherry genotypes. The results showed that fruit and stone weights varied from 1.65 (G410) to 5.47 g (G125) and 0.13 (G428) to 0.59 g (G149), respectively. The fruit size index comprised average fruit length, width, and diameter, which varied from 10.57 to 19.13. The stalk length was less than 50 mm in 90.6% of the studied genotypes. Twelve of the 234 studied genotypes did not exhibit any symptoms of bacterial canker disease. Principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis classified the studied genotypes into four main groups. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that fruit size, stone shape, stone size, stalk thickness and weight, and fruit appearance correlated positively with stone and fruit weights. In contrast, fruit juice, fruit skin, and flesh color correlated negatively with the stone and fruit weights. The range of TSS varied between 12.66 (G251) and 26 (G427). Variations in pH value were between 3.66 (G236) and 5.63 (G352). In conclusion, a high level of genetic diversity was observed among the Iranian sour cherry genotypes. This diversity can be considered valuable and applicable for future breeding programs.

Phenotypic Diversity and Relationships of Fruit Traits in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) Germplasm Resources

“…This study also found that the correlations for persimmon fruit growth were not only between the different parts of the fruit but also between the fruit and its supporting tissues. Our results show that fruit handle width was highly significantly and positively correlated with fruit size traits, such as fruit transverse and longitudinal length, which is consistent with previous studies on the morphological diversity in Diospyros kaki [24], Cerasus pseudocerasus [53], and Citrus clementina [54]. These relationships may be partly explained by the fruit handle width being an external connective tissue of the fruit and its nutrient transport and weight support functions for fruit development.…”

Microsatellite-Based Molecular Diversity in Sour Cherry Genotypes (Prunus cerasus L.) Cultivated in Hungary

“…It is a difficult challenge to analyze sour cherries because they are tetraploid and most of the statistical analysis techniques and software used molecular genetics are designed for diploid species or dominant features. Moreover, diversity analyses in sour cherries are usually based on morphological characteristics [57]; only a few studies have applied genetic markers to examine them [7,58]. In the present study, twelve molecular markers were used to analyze and characterize the genetic diversity of sour cherries cultivated in Similarly, for ripening time, the group numbers are as follows: 1 corresponds to fruits ripening before June 5th, 2 corresponds to fruits ripening between June 5th and 15th, 3 corresponds to fruits ripening between June 15th and 25th, and 4 corresponds to fruits ripening after June 25th.…”