S02 - Session P4 - Genetic relationships between several Romanian apple cultivars using RAPD molecular markers

Authors: Mihaela Iordachescu *, Anca Amalia Udriste, Liliana Badulescu

Apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most cultivated fruit trees worldwide and in Romania. RAPD analysis was carried out to assess genetic relationships between seven Romanian apple cultivars in the germplasm collection of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania. Six random decamer primers identified 78 polymorphic and 12 monomorphic RAPD loci. The constructed UPGMA dendrogram associated the cultivars studied into two clusters, one cluster with the cultivars 'Remar' and 'Iris', both being produced by seed irradiation of cultivar 'Prima', and one cluster grouping the rest of the cultivars. The unique genetic fingerprints obtained with various RAPD markers can be used for specific identification of the varieties in the germplasm collection. In addition, unique bands, specific to certain cultivars, can be used in breeding to follow their inheritance if linked to traits of interest.