Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

New approaches to Prunus tree crop breeding

Author(s):

Pedro Martínez-Gómez ¹, Gabriel O. Sozzi ^2*, Raquel Sánchez-Pérez ¹, Manuel Rubio ¹, Thomas M. Gradziel ³

Recieved Date: 2002-09-02, Accepted Date: 2002-12-20

Abstract:

New strategies for Prunus improvement, including germplasm and molecular marker development and improved propagation techniques, are described. In germplasm improvement, the introduction of genes from related Prunus species conferring several traits including self-compatibility, growth habit, drought resistance, and kernel quality are being pursued. 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 and in-vivo micrograft techniques that allow the early propagation of high-risk 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, including isoenzymes, RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs and SSRs, 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.

Keywords:

Fruits, germplasm, propagation techniques, molecular markers

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2003
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 52-63

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :