Genetic Relationships and Population Structure of Central Asian Apple Species collected from Different Parts of Kyrgyzstan

Apple is among the most widely grown fruit species worldwide. It is included in the genus Malus and there are several species of apple. Although a consensus is not available about the origin of domesticated apples, it is widely accepted that Malus sieversii, known as Central Asia wild apple, was the primary progenitor of apples. Central Asia is a quite significant origin center of apple and harbors different species and a great diversity. In this study, genetic relations among 79 apple materials belonging to 4 different species (M. domestica, M. sieversii, M. kirghisorum and M. niedzwetzkyana) collected from different regions of Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia and their population structures were put forth. A total of 15 ISSR markers were used and 79 bands were obtained with a polymorphism ratio of 75.2%

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT WILD Berberis sphaerocarpa Kar. et Kir. GENOTYPES GROWN IN JETI-OGUZ DISTRICT (ISSYK-KUL PROVINCE) OF NORTH EASTERN KYRGYZSTAN

Today, several fruit species are used for different purposes in alternative medicine. Among those species, barberry species are commonly used in treatment of various diseases. Jeti-Oguz District of Issyk Kul located around Issyk Lake in North-east of Kyrgyzstan has a unique flora and wild Berberis sphaerocarpa Kar. et Kit. (spherical-fruited barberry) species have a great place in regional flora. The fruits, leaves and roots of these species are commonly used by local people as functional products in alternative medicine. The most significant parameter in this wild population is the morphological variation in fruits and leaves. In this study, pomological analyses were performed on ripened black fruits of 26 wild genotypes. Pomological analyses yielded the fruit weights as between 0.23 g (01-JO-006) and 0.61 g (01-JO-025); total soluble solids as between 16.67% (01-JO-014) and 18.73% (01-JO-010 and 01-JO-018). Fruit shapes of genotypes were identified as long, long-spherical, spherical and oblate spherical. Significant variations were observed in morphological characteristics of spherical-fruited barberry genotypes through pomological analyses and field observations

Identification of Self-Incompatibility in Kyrgyzstan-Originated Apple Genotypes with Molecular Marker Technique

Kyrgyzstan is among the mother lands of apple and thus quite rich in apple genetic resources. This study was conducted to determine S-allele profiles of apple genotypes collected from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. The apple materials used belonged to 4 different species (M. domestica, M. kirghisorum, M. sieversii, M. niedzwetzkyana) and a total of 137 genotypes were evaluated in the study. Scorable bands were obtained with the use of 11 primer combinations and band lengths varied between 210 +/- 50 and 700 +/- 50 bp. Present findings revealed the most common S-allele as S46. Present findings are expected to provide contribution in selection of pollinator and main cultivar while establishing new orchards

Molecular Characterization of Barberry Genotypes from Turkey and Kyrgyzstan

This study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity and the relationship between 2 populations including a total 10 genotypes of Berberis crataegina collected from the province of Kayseri in Turkey and 22 genotypes of Berberis sphaerocarpa Kar. & Kit collected from Kyrgyzstan using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers. Twenty ISSR primers used to characterize 32 barberry genotypes and revealed 150 bands of which 111 bands were polymorphic. Band size and the number of bands ranged from 190 to 1400bp and 5 to 14. The average of alleles produced from 20 (ISSR) primers was 7.5. Three primers (TAA)8, (CA)6AC, and (CAC)6 did not show any results whereas, 2 primers (AG)7YC and (TCC)5RY were found to be monomorphic. On the other hand, the rest of primers were polymorphic with polymorphism percentages varied from 28.6 to 100%, with an average of 74%. This study provide that using (ISSR) molecular markers is a reliable method for separating types within a specific genus, and a valuable evidence for decision making in choosing markers for future works, characterization of germplasm, and for contributing of developing Barberry improvement programs

Home gardens of Central Asia: Reservoirs of diversity of fruit and nut tree species

Central Asia is an important center of origin for many globally valued fruit and nut tree species. Forest degradation and deforestation are cause for concern for the conservation of these valuable species. Home gardens have the important function of sustaining household food consumption and income generation, and can play a critical role in conserving the diversity of fruit and nut trees. The dataset includes interviews with farmers who maintain home gardens to understand the diversity of tree species and varieties that they maintain, the sources of tree planting material they use, and their motivations for maintaining home gardens in future. The main variables studied are presented in dedicated Excel files. Methodology: Structured interview