Genetic variation among quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) genotypes sampled from the Coruh valley in Turkey.

Turkey has very rich quince genetic resources, and the country currently dominates world quince production. In particular, the northeastern part of the country has notable Cydonia oblonga Mill. germplasm. Authenticating the identity of germplasm resources of C. oblonga Mill. would be of great value for breeding practices. In the present study, genetic variations of 14 C. oblonga Mill. genotypes sampled from the Coruh valley of Turkey were investigated. Ten random primers generated 53 DNA markers. The highest polymorphism ratio was observed in the OPA07 primer (86%), while the lowest was observed in OPA03 (29%). The percentage of polymorphic bands was 51%, which demonstrated the efficiency of the primers used. The similarity matrix revealed that the similarity among genotypes ranged between 0.42 and 0.96. The identified random amplified polymorphic DNA markers enabled clear discrimination among all genotypes considered.

Molecular and morphological characterization of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes sampled from Coruh Valley in Turkey.

The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits that are traditionally consumed by the local inhabitants of the Coruh Valley, Turkey. In this study, the molecular and morphological characteristics of 19 promising pomegranate genotypes selected from the Coruh Valley were evaluated. For the morphological evaluation, 22 quantitative fruit characteristics were used. For the molecular evaluation, 47 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were used for polymerase chain reaction analysis. The principle component analysis of 22 quantitative fruit characteristics revealed that fruit weight and skin color are dominant traits for genotype discrimination. The unweighted average distance cluster of fruit characteristics revealed 3 distinct groups. Among the 47 RAPD primers, 9 exhibited reliable polymorphic patterns, and generated a total of 63 RAPD bands, of which 49.2% were polymorphic. The similarity matrix showed that the highest (0.920) and lowest (0.556) genetic similarities occurred between the APS13 and APS28 genotypes and the APS12 and APS42 genotypes, respectively. We determined clear discrepancies between the morphological and molecular data; consequently, the differences obtained among genotypes for fruit characteristics did not support genetic relationships among genotypes. In conclusion, molecular data provided the most reliable results at the DNA level.

Genetic and biochemical differentiation in Vitis vinifera (Kabarcik) populations grown at different altitudes in Coruh Valley.

We examined genetic differences of four Vitis vinifera populations (A, B, C, D) including local Kabarcik cultivar grown along an altitude gradient of 800, 900, 1000, and 1150 m above sea level in the Coruh Valley (800 m: A population; 900 m: B population; 1000 m: C population; 1150 m: D population). Leaf samples were used for both RAPD and fatty acid analysis. A total of 60 individuals with 15 individuals per population were included in this study. RAPD analyses showed various band sizes, which ranged from 250 to 3000 bp. Mean polymorphic locus ratios were determined as 96.29% considering four populations. The highest percentage of polymorphic loci (97.8%) was produced by the highest altitude. Thirty-two different fatty acids were found; linoleic acid was the most common in all four populations. According to the dendograms obtained from statistical analyses of RAPD and fatty acid profiles the populations that were close to each other in terms of geographical distance also were similar genetically.

Genetic diversity in wild sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in Turkey revealed by SSR markers.

Wild sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees are abundant in the northern part of Turkey, including the Coruh Valley. We analyzed 18 wild sweet cherry genotypes collected from diverse environments in the upper Coruh Valley in Turkey to determine genetic variation, using 10 SSR primers. These SSR primers generated 46 alleles; the number of alleles per primer ranged from 3 to 7, with a mean of 4.6. The primer PS12A02 gave the highest number of polymorphic bands (N = 7), while CPSCT010, UDAp-401 and UDAp-404 gave the lowest number (N = 3). Seven groups were separated in the dendrogram, although most of the genotypes did not cluster according to phenological and morphological traits. This level of genetic diversity in these wild sweet cherry genotypes is very high and therefore these trees would be useful as breeders for crosses between cultivated sweet cherry and wild genotypes.

Genetic relationships among wild pomegranate (Punica granatum) genotypes from Coruh Valley in Turkey.

The pomegranate has been used traditionally in Coruh Valley in Turkey for a long time; fruits are harvested from wild, semi-domesticated and cultivated trees. In the valley, it occurs in general along with olive trees. We sampled 23 wild-grown pomegranate genotypes sampled from different parts of Coruh Valley and compared them using RAPD primers to determine genetic variability. Eighty-six RAPD primers were used for molecular characterizations, among which 12 gave reliable polymorphic patterns. These primers generated 145 RAPD bands of which 91% were polymorphic. The highest polymorphism ratio was observed with primers OPY06, OPY13, OPBA03, OPBB03, OPBB07, and OPBB09 (100%), while the lowest was with OPBB09 and OPBB10 (75%). The band size was between 250 and 2400 bp. There were five main clusters in the dendrogram; the highest genetic similarity was 0.24 and the lowest was 0.08.

Simple sequence repeat-based assessment of genetic relationships among Prunus rootstocks.

Ten SSR loci, previously developed for Prunus, were analyzed to examine genetic relationships among 23 rootstock candidates for sweet and sour cherries, of the species P. avium, P. cerasus, P. mahaleb, and P. angustifolia. Five genotypes of P. laurocerasus, not used as rootstock, were included in the molecular analysis. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 12, with a mean of 9, while the number of microsatellite genotypes varied from 8 to 17, indicating that the SSRs were highly informative. The degree of heterozygosity (0.61) was high. Clustering analysis resulted in two main clusters. The first cluster was divided into two subclusters; the first subcluster consisted of P. avium and P. cerasus, and the second subcluster consisted of P. laurocerasus. The second cluster was divided into two subclusters. The first subcluster consisted of P. mahaleb genotypes and the second consisted of P. angustifolia genotypes. The reference rootstocks also clustered with their associated botanical species. Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean analysis demonstrated that P. laurocerasus genotypes had less genetic variation and that P. avium genotypes were more closely related to P. cerasus. The SSR-based phylogeny was generally consistent with Prunus taxonomy information, suggesting the applicability of SSR analysis for genotyping and phylogenetic studies in the genus Prunus.

Genetic relationships between selected Turkish mulberry genotypes (Morus spp) based on RAPD markers.

Mulberry (Morus spp, Moraceae) is an important horticultural crop in Turkey, which is one of the main world producers of mulberry fruit. We evaluated the genetic relationships among 26 mulberry genotypes selected for agronomic characteristics, using RAPD markers. A total of 367 DNA markers were generated with 34 random primers. The highest genetic similarity (0.80) was observed between Oltu58 (M. nigra) and Olur90 (M. nigra) genotypes. The genotypes Oltu3 (M. alba) and Oltu18 (M. rubra) were the most distant (0.36). We found that the RAPD technique is a useful tool to discriminate mulberry genotypes at both the intra- and interspecific level. This type of information will aid in accurate identification of useful genotypes for breeding programs.

Genetic variation among date plum (Diospyros lotus) genotypes in Turkey.

Turkey is one of the most important genetic resources of the date plum, Diospyros lotus, especially in the northeastern part of the country. Authenticating the identity of germplasm resources of D. lotus would be of great value for breeding. We examined the genetic variability of 11 D. lotus genotypes sampled from Coruh Valley in Turkey. One hundred and twenty-eight DNA markers were generated by 12 random primers. The highest polymorphism ratio was observed with the primer OPA-01 (71%) while the lowest was with OPY-01 (36%). The band size was between 350 and 2500 bp for these primers. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 58%, which demonstrated the efficiency of these primers. The similarity between genotypes ranged from 0.48 to 0.76. The RAPD markers permitted us to distinguish all the genotypes.

Genetic relationships among turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) genotypes.

Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) is one of the main vegetables consumed by people living in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. In this region, farmers obtain their own seeds for production, which results in considerable morphological variability. We examined the genetic variation and relationships among 11 turnip genotypes sampled from diverse environments of the Erzurum region located in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. Thirty-two Operon RAPD primers were screened; among them, 20 gave reproducible and clear DNA fragments after amplification. The average polymorphism ratio was 90.4%. The genetic distance between turnip genotypes were found to range from 0.302 to 0.733, indicating high genetic variability. Eleven genotypes were divided into three main clusters in a dendrogram; ETS2 and ETS8 genotypes were the most distant. We conclude that RAPD analysis would be useful for genotyping turnip genotypes.

Characterization of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) genotypes for their physicochemical properties.

The worldwide tendency for growing more small fruits, including raspberries, shows permanent increase because this group of fruits has a relatively higher content of bioactive nutrients. To study the health benefits of red raspberry fruits, 11 preselected wild-grown and 1 well-known cultivar, Heritage, were evaluated for some of their physicochemical properties such as fruit weight, total antioxidant capacity (measured by beta-carotene bleaching and FRAP assays), total phenolics, ascorbic acid, soluble solid content (SSC), and acidity. Fruit weight, SSC, and ascorbic acid contents were between 1.47 and 2.32 g, 10.87% and 13.60%, and 21 and 36 mg/100 g, respectively. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content varied among genotypes and the ERZ5 genotype had the highest antioxidant capacity as ascertained by both methods. This genotype also had the highest total phenolic (2031 microg GAE/g FW) content. There are linear relationships between antioxidant capacities and total phenols. The present study demonstrates the potential of certain wild genotypes, notably ERZ5, for improving the nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programs.

An assessment of genetic variability and relationships among wild-grown blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) plants based on RAPD markers.

Prunus spinosa, blackthorn, exists as wild populations that inhabit uncultivated uplands of Coruh Valley in the northeastern part of Turkey; the fruit is used to make preserves. We examined genetic diversity in wild-grown Prunus spinosa; 16 individual plants from wild populations of Coruh Valley were sampled and subjected to RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis. We tested 51 random decamer primers; 15 of them gave reproducible polymorphic patterns. These 15 primers produced 226 bands, of which 65% were polymorphic. A UPGMA dendrogram clearly divided the genotypes into four groups; we concluded that RAPD analysis can be used for examining genetic relatedness among blackthorn genotypes.

RAPD-based study of genetic variation and relationships among wild fig genotypes in Turkey.

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is of significant socio-economic importance in Turkey, with 25% of the world's fig production. Genetic variation and relationships among 14 wild-grown figs sampled from Coruh Valley in Turkey were characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Ninety-eight DNA fragments were scored after amplification of DNA samples with 13 random primers; 70% of the scored bands were polymorphic. Genetic distances between the fig genotypes ranged from 0.21 to 0.62. Genotypes 08-ART-02 and 08-ART-06 were found to be the most closely related, whereas 08-ART-09 and 08-ART-10 were the most distant. The 14 wild-grown genotypes were grouped into six main clusters and one outgroup. We conclude that RAPD analysis is efficient for genotyping wild-grown fig genotypes.

Molecular characterization of olive cultivars using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers.

We sampled six olive cultivars (Tavli Sati, Sati, Gorvela, Sacakli Otur, Butko, and Otur) from Coruh Valley, located in the northeast part of Turkey, and characterized them using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Some morphological and biochemical characteristics are also determined. Six AFLP primer combinations were used for molecular characterization and 66 AFLP markers were obtained. Six olive cultivars were classified into two major clusters using UPGMA clustering analysis; cv. Otur alone comprised the first group. Some morphological and biochemical characteristics of cv. Otur were also distinct from those of the other cultivars. The highest genetic similarity was observed between cultivars Tavli Sati and Sati (0.74), while the lowest genetic similarity was observed between cvs. Gorvela and Otur (0.37).

Identification of Turkish and standard apple rootstocks by morphological and molecular markers.

Two local (Vezir-1 and Vezir-2) and two standard (M9 and MM106) clonal apple rootstocks were compared using both morphological and molecular markers. International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants criteria were used for morphological evaluation, which did not clearly separate these rootstocks. We tested 47 random decamer primers for random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis; 15 of them gave reproducible polymorphic patterns, yielding 109 bands, which showed 78% polymorphism. Based on a dendrogram obtained by unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average analysis, three clusters were obtained. The highest genetic similarities were found between M9 and Vezir-2 (0.670). The random amplified polymorphic DNA markers proved to be more efficient than the standard morphological markers for the identification of rootstocks.

First Report of Crown and Stem Rot of Orchid (Orchis palustris) Caused by Sclerotinia minor.

Orchis palustris Jacq. is a wild orchid native to wetlands in eastern Anatolia. During June of 2003, near Erzurum, Turkey, a decline of this orchid was observed in several meadows that had been irrigated for forage production. Stems were chlorotic, wilted, and collapsed. There was a soft, watery rot at the crowns and lower stems. White mycelium and black sclerotia formed on necrotic stem and crown tissues. The fungus was isolated from sclerotia on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and identified as Sclerotinia minor Jagger on the basis of small sclerotia (0.5 to 2.5 mm long) scattered throughout the colonies (2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating stems of 8-week-old plants with mycelial plugs from 5-day-old PDA cultures and enclosing inoculated plants in transparent plastic bags for 3 days. After 2 weeks, symptoms similar to those in the field were observed, and S. minor was reisolated from inoculated plants. Noninoculated control plants remained asymptomatic. The disease was previously observed on O. laxiflora Lam. in Turkey (1), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor infecting O. palustris References: (1) C. Eken et al. Plant Pathol. 52:802, 2003. (2) L.M. Kohn. Phytopathology 69:881, 1979.