Genetic relationships and diversity of common apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

• In the current study, the genetic diversity of 37 apricot genotypes was investigated using 13 SSR primer pairs.
• Totally, 60 alleles were identified with an average of 4.62 alleles per locus.
• A significant ratio of transferability was measured.
• The UPGMA and Bayesian clustering analyses outlined the genetic relationships of apricot genotypes.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is considered as an important species of the stone-fruit crops, and grown in temperate zones. In the current study, the genetic diversity of 37 apricot genotypes was investigated using 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Totally, 60 alleles were identified with an average of 4.62 alleles per locus, implying that the studied apricot germplasm presented a high level of genetic diversity. A significant ratio of transferability was measured, and we deduced that the tested markers derived from peach and almond have enough potential to detect polymorphism and differentiation in apricot. The UPGMA and Bayesian clustering analyses outlined the genetic relationships of apricot genotypes tested from different geographical distributions and separated the genotypes into four main clusters. This study will facilitate the understanding of the conservation strategies of the genetic diversity in apricot in Iran.