Grafting versus seed propagated apricot populations: two main gene pools in Tunisia evidenced by SSR markers and model-based Bayesian clustering

Apricot was introduced into the Mediterranean Basin from China and Asian mountains through the Middle-East and the Central Europe. Traditionally present in Tunisia, we were interested in accessing the origin of apricot species in the country, and in particular in the number and the location of its introductions. A set of 82 representative apricot accessions including 49 grafted cultivars and 33 seed propagated ‘Bargougs’ were genotyped using 24 microsatellite loci revealing a total of 135 alleles. The model-based Bayesian clustering analysis using both Structure and InStruct programs as well as the multivariate method revealed five distinct genetic clusters. The genetic differentiation among clusters showed that cluster 1, with only four cultivars, was the most differentiated from the four remaining genetic clusters, which constituted the largest part of the studied germplasm. According to their geographic origin, the five identified groups (north, centre, south, Gafsa oasis and other oases groups) enclosed a similar variation within group, with a low level of differentiation. Overall results highlighted the distinction of two apricot gene pools in Tunisia related to the different mode of propagation of the cultivars: grafted and seed propagated apricot, which enclosed a narrow genetic basis. Our findings support the assumption that grafting and seed propagated apricots shared the same origin

Editorial: Functional Genomics in Plant Breeding 2.0

Scientists agree that the increased human impact on the environment since the 19th century has positioned our planet in a period of rapid and intense change, particularly to our natural ecosystems. Most plants suffer from physiological and biochemical damages upon exposure to increased biotic and abiotic stresses. Regarding crops, stress-induced injuries, which are reflected in most metabolic processes, can cause substantial losses in yield. Crop species are equipped with vast diversity in stress adaptation mechanisms. Although many of these mechanisms are universal, their relative importance may vary from genotype to genotype. Consequently, some genotypes can cope with stress better than others. Genotypes that differ in stress adaptation/acclimation mechanisms serve as an essential resource for studying these mechanisms. Based on available genotypic variability and given the considerable impact of genomic structural variation on gene function, we need to increase our understanding of the genome and its relationship with the plant phenotype related to the trait of interest

Stress Regulated Expression Of The Gus-Marker Gene (Uida) Under The Control Of Plant Calmodulin And Viral 35s Promoters In A Model Fruit Tree Rootstock: Prunus Incisa X Serrula

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