Analyses of Clonal Status in 'Somei-yoshino' and Confirmation of Genealogical Record in Other Cultivars of Prunus * yedoensis by Microsatellite Markers

Abstract

'Somei-yoshino' (Yoshino cherry, Prunus × yedoensis) is the most popular flowering cherry cultivar in Japan. In order to confirm the clonal status of this cultivar, which is one of the most important issues, genotypes of different individuals were investigated using 21 microsatellite markers. Of the 52 individuals examined, including 47 old trees planted from the late 19th to the early 20th century that had been collected from various locations in Japan, 50 showed an identical genotype. The other two were assumed to be the offspring of this cultivar. These results showed that 'Somei-yoshino' is a clone from a single tree. The genealogy of six other cultivars belonging to the same hybrid species was examined using the same method. The results were congruent with the documentation of their genealogy. 'Mishima-zakura' and 'Shouwa-zakura' were found to be the offspring of 'Somei-yoshino', while 'Amagi-yoshino', 'Izu-yoshino', 'Mikado-yoshino' and 'Perpendens' were not directly related to 'Somei-yoshino'.

Molecular and morphological data reveal hybrid origin of wild Prunus yedoensis (Rosaceae) from Jeju Island, Korea: Implications for the origin of the flowering cherry

“…This alternative seems more plausible since P . × yedoensis first appeared in a public area in the late 19th century in Ueno Park in Tokyo (Fujino, 1900) or even earlier in the late 18th or early 19th century (Iketani et al, 2007).…”

Nomenclature of Tokyo cherry (Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei‐yoshino', Rosaceae) and allied interspecific hybrids based on recent advances in population genetics

“…Material analyzed by Innan & al. (1995) and Iketani & al. (2007) included samples from Koishikawa Botanical Garden, and their results indicated that Tokyo cherries, including the samples investigated by Kato & al.…”

“…Its sudden appearance from unknown origins has given rise to various arguments about its botanical and geographical provenance during the last hundred years (Kuitert, 1999;Iketani & al., 2006). Recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and population genetics revealed its clonal nature propagated by grafting (Innan & al., 1995;Iketani & al., 2007;Kato & al., 2012) and that it originated as an interspecific hybrid (Kato & al., 2014). Nomenclaturally, this result means that C. yedoensis is the correct name of the nothospecies resulting from crosses between C. itosakura (Siebold) Masam.…”

Hybrid seedling inviability locus (HIs1) mapped on linkage group 4 of the Japanese flowering cherry, Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’

“…Recent studies using molecular markers showed considerable pollen-mediated gene flow between planted Someiyoshino and its wild relatives Tsuruta et al 2012a). Because Somei-yoshino is a clonal cultivar propagated with grafting (Innan et al 1995;Iketani et al 2007), abundant pollen and seed migration from cultivated Someiyoshino to relatives may disrupt the genetic component of wild populations (known as genetic disturbance). To evaluate the risk of migration, cross compatibility was measured with artificial hybridizations among Somei-yoshino (CY: planted in Gifu University) and some wild cherry species (Tsuruta et al 2012b).…”