Phenotypic and molecular variability and genetic structure of Iranian almond cultivars

Author(s)
Zeinalabedini, Mehrshad
Sohrabi, Samira
Nikoumanesh, Kianoush
Imani, Ali
Mardi, Mohsen
Publication Date
2012-12
Abstract
In this study, we used 20 morphological traits (during two consecutive growing seasons) and 11 microsatellite markers to assess the morphological and molecular variability and structure of the almond (<i>Prunus dulcis</i> (Mill.) D.A. Webb). Seventy one promising Iranian genotypes and three foreign reference cultivars (Ferragnes, Supernova, and Touno) were evaluated in this study. Kernel/shell ratio, kernel width/thickness ratio, softness of shell, nut weight, and kernel thickness were highly variable. Strong positive and, occasionally, negative correlations were detected among nut and kernel traits. Morphological traits were categorized by principle-components analysis (PCA) into 6 components which explained 88.1 % of the total variation. On the basis of the first two PCA axes, the 2-dimensional PCA plot grouped the samples according to their phenotypic characteristics. The results from molecular analyses (including a Bayesian clustering approach and a molecular phylogenetic network) did not correspond to morphological groupings. In this paper we report, for the first time, morphological and molecular variability and genetic structure of Iranian almond germplasm. Our results showed that model-based cluster analysis (using Structure software) was very appropriate for study of genetic relationships among almond accessions and can be used for study of the genetic structure of <i>Prunus</i> germplasm as well.
Citation
Plant Systematics and Evolution, 298(10), p. 1917-1929
ISSN
1615-6110
0378-2697
Link
Publisher
Springer Wien
Title
Phenotypic and molecular variability and genetic structure of Iranian almond cultivars
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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