Characterization and diversity assessment of almond (Prunus dulcis mill.) genotypes and cultivars using simple sequence repeat markers
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, vol.72, no.5, pp.5887-5901, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 72 Issue: 5
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s10722-024-02305-8
- Journal Name: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Veterinary Science Database
- Page Numbers: pp.5887-5901
- Keywords: Almond, Genetic relationship, SSR markers
- Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study investigated genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among 9 almond genotypes naturally growing in Yozgat (Türkiye) and its surroundings, along with 7 local and foreign almond cultivars, using 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. A total of 132 alleles were detected, with alleles per locus ranging from 3 to 11 and an average of 7, while the UDAp-439 locus exhibited the highest allele count. The number of effective alleles (Ne) ranged from 2.11 (CPPCT008) to 6.76 (BPPCT011), with an average of 4.90, highlighting the genetic variation present. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.31 to 1.00, averaging 0.73, with the highest value (1.00) found at the BPPCT032 locus, while expected heterozygosity (He) averaged 0.78, peaking at UDAp-439, BPPCT032, and BPPCT011 loci. Polymorphism ınformation content values varied between 0.44 (CPPCT008) and 0.83 (UDP98-411, UDAp-439, BPPCT032, and BPPCT011), emphasizing the high discriminative power of these markers. Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.24 to 0.88, revealing significant genetic diversity among the genotypes and cultivars. Cluster analysis using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) divided the genotypes into two main groups and four subgroups, consistent with STRUCTURE analysis results, which confirmed the genetic differentiation patterns. These findings demonstrate the rich genetic diversity of almond genotypes in Yozgat and its surroundings, underlining the region’s potential for breeding programs and genetic resource conservation. This diversity indicates that the region is rich in almond genetic resources and has potential for breeding programs.