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Application of biotechnology tools to Prunus tree crop breeding |
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Authors: | P. Martínez-Gómez, M. Rubio, R. Sánchez-Pérez | Issue: | 101-4 (319-332) | Topic: | Plant Production | Keywords: | Peach, plum, apricot, almond, cherry, germplasm, propagation techniques, molecular
markers | Summary: | Different biotechnological tools for Prunus breeding including alternative germplasm souces, new evaluation
techniques, and molecular markers development, are described. In germplasm improvement, the
introduction of genes from related Prunus species confering several traits are being pursued. On the other
hand, twin seeds (two embryos within the same seedcoat) have produced seedlings useful for genetic
studies. Promising propagation methods include in-vitro techniques for the evaluation of plant material,
allowing the early evaluation of a high number of genotypes. In addition, the growth of seedlings in controlled
environments, including the induction of an artificial rest period in cold chambers, provides a useful
strategy for obtaining vigorously growing plants year round. Molecular markers have also become an
essential tool in Prunus breeding studies. Different types of molecular markers have been employed for
the genetic characterization of germplasm, the establishment of genetic relationships between cultivars
and species, and the construction of genetic maps. Methodologies for the analysis of marker-assisted
selection include the use of mapping populations segregating for desired characters and bulk segregant
analysis. To date, molecular markers associated to 19 qualitative traits (monogenic u oligogenic) and 18
quantitative traits (polygenic) have been described in different Prunus species. |
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