S01 - Session P9 - II - Development and validation of molecular markers associated to sweet cherry agronomical traits for breeding programs

Authors: José Quero Garcia *, Elisabeth Dirlewanger, Camille Branchereau, Océane Bellerose, Teresa Barreneche, Mathieu Fouché, Bénédicte Wenden, Loick Le Dantec, Clarisse Auvinet, Amandine Boubennec

In sweet cherry, most of the agronomic traits are controlled by many genomic regions (QTLs) and are highly dependent of climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall). Moreover, sweet cherry has a long juvenile period (4-6 years or longer). For these reasons, the introduction of a desired character is a long process. Based on several sweet cherry populations evaluated during many years for a large set of agronomical traits, stable QTLs were identified. Using the genome sequence of the 'Regina' cultivar and transcriptomic data, SNPs located on the genomic regions covering the QTLs were identified and transformed into KASP (Kompetitive allele specific PCR) markers. These low-cost markers can be easily used for marker-assisted breeding (MAB) for multiple traits in order to allow breeders to increase the efficiency of their programs and to plant only hybrids with favorable allelic combinations for the most critical agronomic traits. We will present the development of markers for complex traits such as chilling and heat requirements, flowering date, productivity as well as fruit weight, firmness and additional fruit quality traits in order to meet farmer's needs and consumer's preferences with the final goal being to create sweet cherry cultivars well adapted to global warming, with good yield and good fruit quality.