Abstract
BackgroundAllelic diversity of the S-locus is attributed to the genetic relationships among genotypes and sexual reproduction strategy. In otherwise self-incompatible Prunus species, the emergence of loss-of-function in S-haplotypes has resulted in self-compatibility. This information may allow following major stages of crop history. The genetic diversity in the S-locus of local apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) from different oasis ecosystems in Morocco and the comparison of the occurrence and frequency of S-alleles with other regions may allow testing the validity of previous theories on the origin and dissemination of North African apricots.ResultsThe S-genotypes of 55 Moroccan apricot accessions were determined, resulting in 37 self-compatible genotypes, from which 33 were homozygotes for self-compatibility. SC was the most frequent S-allele in this germplasm, followed by S13, S7, S11, S2, S20, S8, and S6. New approaches (CAPS or allele-specific PCR) were designed for a reliable verification of the rare or unexpected alleles. The frequency and distribution of the S-alleles differed among the oases. Some of these alleles, S8, S11, S13 and S20, were formerly detected only in the Irano Caucasian germplasm and are not present in Europe.ConclusionsOur data supports the Irano-Caucasian origin of the Moroccan apricots and their original introduction by Phoenicians and Arabs through the North African shore. North Africa seems to have preserved much higher variability of apricot as compared with Europe. The loss of genetic diversity in apricot might be explained by the occurrence of self-compatibility and the length of time that apricot has spent with this breeding system in an environment without its wild relatives, such as the Moroccan oases or Central Europe.
Highlights
Allelic diversity of the S-locus is attributed to the genetic relationships among genotypes and sexual reproduction strategy
Identification of S-alleles Determination of the S-genotypes of 55 Moroccan apricot accessions was carried out using the consensus primers for the first and second introns of the S-RNase gene
The S-genotypes of 55 Moroccan apricot accessions were determined, detecting an unexpected great variability in the S-locus. Many of these S-alleles were previously thought to be present only in the Irano-Caucasian region. The presence of these alleles in North Africa indicates that this region received and preserved more variability from the Irano-Caucasian than from the European gene pool
Summary
Allelic diversity of the S-locus is attributed to the genetic relationships among genotypes and sexual reproduction strategy. In otherwise self-incompatible Prunus species, the emergence of loss-of-function in S-haplotypes has resulted in self-compatibility This information may allow following major stages of crop history. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) originated in Central Asia and was primarily domesticated in China, with a secondary centre of origin in the Middle East [1]. It is a traditional fruit crop in North Africa and its first introduction in the Maghreb is attributed to the Phoenicians more than 2500 years ago [2] due to the exchange of commercial products between the eastern and western parts of the Mediterranean basin. The molecular basis of GSI is similar in the Solanaceae and Scrophulariaceae [11]
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