Analysis of S-allele genetic diversity in Sicilian almond germplasm comparing different molecular methods
Italian almond germplasm is characterized by a wide diversity in several growing areas among which Sicily is one of the most important. Analysis with consensus and specific primers and DNA sequencing was performed to investigate S-RNase genetic diversity and to elucidate the homology rate within a genetic pool of 27 Italian accessions. Interestingly, some of the self-compatible cultivars did not show the presence of Sf allele. Amplicons from consensus and allele-specific PCR primers revealed a high level of variability. Sequencing of all the S-RNase amplicons derived from consensus primers allowed the identification of two new S-RNase alleles (S51 and S52). Surprisingly, despite the AA repl…
Genetic diversity and relationships among Italian and foreign almond germplasm as revealed by microsatellite markers
Abstract Italian germplasm is characterized by a wide diversity rapidly developed determining a massive genetic pool of cultivars in several growing areas. On the whole, regions of southern Italy, and in particular Sicily, were considered as one of the main trade routes along which almond was spread throughout the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In this work, 9 SSR markers have been used to analyze 113 almond cultivars and accessions coming from ex-situ conservation, including most of almond genotypes spread in Sicily and Apulia and foreign cultivars from Mediterranean, American and Australian areas in order to determine the level of genetic diversity within Italian genotypes and elucidate…
Physiological and molecular analysis of the maturation process in fruits of Clementine Mandarin and one of its late-ripening mutants
Peel color is one of the main features affecting citrus quality. Clementine is a widespread citrus species with several mutants showing a delay in pigmentation and harvesting. This work characterizes the fruit development and ripening of two clementine clones, 'Comune', a widespread variety, and one of its natural mutations, 'Tardivo', which differ by a delayed color-break and extended harvest period. Morphological, chemical, and molecular analyses were carried out on fruits of both genotypes during the whole maturation process. Analysis showed that mutation did not affect ripening characteristics such as juice acidity and TSS. However, biochemical and molecular analysis revealed marked dif…