Application of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in apricot breeding: molecular characterization, protection, and genetic relationships

Seventeen peach simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been used in the molecular characterization of 8 apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars from Spain, North America, France, and Greece; a new breeding line from the apricot breeding program of INRA (Avignon, France); and 13 breeding lines and 3 new releases from the apricot breeding program of CEBAS-CSIC (Murcia, Spain). DNA fingerprints have been developed establishing the genetic relatedness among cultivars, new releases, and breeding lines. Amplification of SSR loci was obtained for all 17 primer pairs and 14 of them produced polymorphic amplification. The number of presumed alleles revealed by the SSR analysis ranged from one to nine, although most primers revealed three alleles or more. The mean number of alleles per locus was 4.1. Results allowed the molecular identification of all the apricot genotypes assayed. Apricot genotypes clustered into seven principal groups in accordance with their origin and pedigree. The implications of these results for apricot breeding programs in terms of protection of new release and design of new crosses are also discussed.