Optimisation of apricot breeding by a joint conventional and molecular approach applied to the main agronomics traits

Preliminary results of the European ABRIGEN (FAIR6 CT98-4345) are presented. The general objective is the optimization of the apricot selection methodology in order to improve breeding strategies. It is based on a multidisciplinary research dedicated to the genetic determinism of the main agronomic traits, the quality of the fruit and the resistance to major diseases. It is mainly focus on: (i) the inheritance of the major agronomic traits, fruit quality and resistance to sharka and bacteriosis; (ii) the analysis of possible linkages or associations between traits; (iii) the identification of associated molecular markers. The work is based on the analysis of a 9x9 diallel cross, with 61 families and more than 3700 offspring. Teams including geneticists, development biologists, plant pathologists, physiologists and molecular biologists have been joined to reach the objective

Prospection characterisation and assessment of apricot genetic resources in the mediterranean region for the production in arid and semi-arid areas

Under the frame of an EEC - INCO-DC programme, 'APRIMED' research project is under development with the objective to characterize, to preserve and to identify the apricot genetic resources in part of the Mediterranean Region (Turkey, Spain, Italy, France, Morocco and Tunisia). An integrated and multidisciplinary approach divided in 3 main tasks has been developed. Prospection and preservation of genetic resources - During the prospection, 103 accessions have been identified in Morocco and 58 in Tunisia; while the preservation of 430 clones has been performed in France, 279 in Italy and 94 in Turkey. Characterization - A phenotypic characterization under UPOV descriptor has been achieved on 204 clones. A molecular characterization has been applied onto a set of 83 accessions by means of 4 microsatellites. Assessment of agronomic performances - The agronomic value has been accessed onto a total of 242 clones and partly investigated on 158 clones - Flower fertility has been investigated on the productive clones. Male sterility and interincompatibility groups have been identified. Chilling requirements and Floral anomalies measurements were optimized and applied to the germplasm. Fruit quality traits have been characterized in France, Italy, Tunisia and Turkey. Resistance to pest and disease has been characterized on a part of the gene-pool against sharka, Monilia and Capnodis tenebrionis