Genetic diversity in apricot cultivars based on AFLP markers

A set of cultivars used as genitors in apricot breeding programs aimed at introducing sharka resistance were examined by AFLP molecular marker analysis. The markers obtained indicated that apricot cultivars resistant to sharka were related to the European cultivars, but they potentially share a common ancestor donor of sharka outside of the European group. Segregation of AFLP and RAPD markers has been tested in two progenies of two crosses, one between a resistant and a susceptible cultivar and one between two susceptible accessions. The heterozygozity of families obtained from crosses between resistant and susceptible cultivars is similar to those obtained from other self-incompatible Prunus species. On the other hand, heterozygosity of a progeny obtained from a cross between European susceptible cultivars was very low. The usefulness of the information provided by AFLPs for apricot breeding programs is discussed.