中国樱桃地方种质资源表型性状遗传多样性分析

以源自中国樱桃主产区7个群体,80份地方种质资源为试材,采用巢式方差及聚类分析法对其叶片、果实及果核26个表型性状进行多样性分析。结果表明:(1)质量性状之间存在较大的多样性差异,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数范围在0.61~1.64之间,其中果实形状、果皮颜色、叶片及果核剖面形状等表现出较高的遗传多样性。(2)数量性状无论是在群体间还是群体内均表现出极显著差异,14个数量性状的平均变异系数为9.93%,其中果柄长度的变异系数最高(24.80%),果核顶面观指数最低(6.61%)。在7个群体中,云南的种质材料变异系数最大,为12.92%;安徽的最小,为7.42%。(3)对14个数量性状的主成分分析表明,前5个主成分的累积贡献率达80.9434%,能反应数量性状的基本特征。(4)基于Nei’s遗传距离的聚类分析以及主坐标分析将80份材料分为2个大类,分布于山东、河南和安徽群体的种质资源聚为一类,为华北类群,分布于四川、云南、贵州和重庆群体的聚为另一类,为西南类群。研究结果表明不同地理分布群体的中国樱桃表型多样性存在差异,而这种遗传差异可能是由于来自不同的驯化位点而造成的。     

Study of Genetic Diversity of Pear Genotypes and Cultivars (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus communis</Emphasis> L.) Using Inter<Emphasis Type="Italic">-</Emphasis>Simple Sequence Repeat Markers (ISSR)

ISSR molecular marker was used to investigate genetic diversity of ‘Dare Gazi’ genotypes of Mashhad Esteghlal orchard and its relationship with other commercial and native cultivars of pear. Among ‘Dare Gazi’ genotypes of Mashhad Esteghlal orchard 23 genotypes were selected base on difference in tree vigor, leaf color, shape and color of fruit and also 33 other commercial and native pear cultivars from Esteghlal orchard and other Mashhad commercial orchards were studied. A total number of 230 DNA fragments were obtained using 11 primers of which 225 were polymorphic. On average, each primer produced 20.9 bands. Dice similarity coefficient ranged from 0.27 (between ‘Dom Kaj’ and Asian pear) to 1 (between ‘Dare Gazi’ 1 and 2 genotypes). Sample cluster dendrogram indicated that 56 genotypes were divided into 12 distinct clusters. The dendogram generated on the principle of Unweight Pair Wise Method using Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) was constructed by Dice coefficient and the genotypes were grouped into 12 clusters. ‘Dare Gazi’ genotypes did not show 100% similarity due to seed propagation or mutation, as ‘Dare Gazi’ 3 and 18 genotypes had the lowest similarity coefficient (0.64). Asian pears were placed in a separate group from European pears. And ‘Dare Gazi’ genotypes from different orchards were grouped separately, but all of them are called as ‘Dare Gazi’ pear for convenience. ISSR molecular marker can well identify the genetic variability among genotypes and cultivars and found suitable for grouping them.     

Genetic diversity in Indian ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) accessions as revealed by quantitative traits and RAPD markers

In present study, an attempt has been made to assess the genetic diversity among 34 accessions of Benincasa hispida using quantitative traits and RAPD data. Variability was observed for characters like days to first female flower, fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameter. Cluster analysis based on quantitative traits revealed a high degree of diversity among the accessions. RAPD-based dendrogram showed dissimilarity values 0.64–0.943 suggesting that the accessions represent a genetically diverse population. A non-significant correlation was observed between the clustering based on quantitative traits and RAPD markers. But the accessions like IVAG-107 and IVAG-81 clearly separated from rest of the accessions based on the quantitative traits and as well as RAPD primers. Both the dendrogram revealed that the accessions from northeastern region of India are diverse from the accessions of other parts of India, as they cluster together in both the dendrogram. The information generated could be utilized in developing cultivars/hybrids for specific traits.     

番茄353份种质资源表型性状遗传多样性分析

对番茄353份种质资源的13个质量性状和16个数量性状进行变异水平评价、相关性分析及主成分分析。结果表明:供试材料的表型性状具有丰富的遗传多样性,在质量性状中Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最高的是生长势(1.50);数量性状中最高的是叶片长(2.07)和叶片宽(2.07),变异系数最大的是裂果率(73.08%);各性状间存在复杂的相互关系;前9个主成分的累计贡献率为64.83%,包含了全部指标的大部分信息。基于表型性状,采用系统聚类组间聚合的方法在遗传距离为17.5处将供试的353份资源划分为6个组群,第5组群包含138份资源,主要特点为果实圆形,生长习性为有限生长;第6组群包含203份资源,主要特点为单果质量小,生长习性为无限生长。     

Association analysis of fruit traits in mulberry species (Morus L.)

Improvement of fruit traits is an important objective in current mulberry breeding programs. In this study, 93 mulberry accessions of diverse origin were genotyped using 15 ISSR markers to identify marker–trait associations with fruit traits. Fifteen ISSR primers generated a total of 104 amplification products, of which 94 were polymorphic, revealing 90.38% polymorphism; the mean PIC value was 0.2698. UPGMA cluster analysis showed clear genetic relationships between the 93 mulberry cultivars, and the major clusters were related to known pedigree relationships and their ecotype. The mean r² value for all intra-chromosomal loci pairs was 0.0210. Marker–trait associations were investigated using the unified mixed-model approach, considering both population structure (Q) and kinship (K). In total, 24 marker–trait associations (p < 0.01) were identified using different ISSR markers. The results suggest that association mapping in mulberry is a viable alternative to quantitative trait loci mapping, and detection of associations between markers and mulberry fruit traits will also provide important information for marker-assisted breeding.     

红肉猕猴桃种质资源果实性状及AFLP 遗传多样性分析

 对中国红肉猕猴桃种质资源进行收集和调查,并对其进行果实性状变异分析和AFLP 遗传多 样性及遗传关系分析。结果表明,红肉猕猴桃野生资源主要分布于湖南省、湖北省、河南省、江西省、 四川省和陕西省等地,共采集到52 份野生资源和2 份品种资源（包括软枣猕猴桃红肉类型、中华猕猴桃 红肉类型和美味猕猴桃红肉类型）。红肉猕猴桃种质资源在果实性状和DNA 分子水平上都存在丰富的变 异和较高的遗传多样性水平,4 对AFLP 引物共扩增出259 个多态性位点,多态性位点百分率为90.56%, Nei’s 基因多样性和Shannon’s 信息指数分别为0.318 和0.477;资源间遗传相似性系数介于0.568 ~ 0.883 之间,平均为0.714。聚类分析和主坐标分析将54 份资源划分为4 个组,软枣猕猴桃红肉类型单独聚为 一类;中华猕猴桃和美味猕猴桃红肉类型亲缘关系较近且有按地理来源优先聚类的趋势。果实性状数据 和AFLP 数据之间具有极显著的相关性,二者可结合用于红肉猕猴桃资源评价和保护利用工作中。     

野生毛花猕猴桃果实表型性状及SSR遗传多样性分析

以江西省武功山境内的70份野生毛花猕猴桃种质资源为试材,对其果实表型性状、SSR遗传多样性及其亲缘关系进行分析和评价。根据UPOV（国际植物新品种保护联盟）公布的猕猴桃属品种测定标准对供试材料的果实表型性状进行观测。参照猕猴桃遗传连锁图谱,选用分布于中华猕猴桃基因组中的70对SSR引物对供试材料进行多态性分析。结果表明,在70对引物中,21对引物成功扩增出多态性片段。随机采集的70份野生毛花猕猴桃种质资源中,其果实表型性状和DNA分子水平均存在丰富的遗传多样性。基于UPGMA聚类分析将供试的野生毛花猕猴桃资源分为果实圆形和椭圆形混合组、果实椭圆形组以及果实圆柱形组。21对多态性高的SSR引物共检测出127个等位变异位点,变异范围在2 ~ 12之间,平均每对SSR引物可检测到6.04个等位位点。遗传相似系数（GS）变异范围为0.5306 ~ 0.9252。GS值在0.65水平上UPGMA聚类分析可将供试的野生毛花猕猴桃种质资源划分成Ⅰ、Ⅱ和 Ⅲ 共3个组,这与果实表型性状分析的结果基本一致。这些遗传变异丰富的种质资源可为猕猴桃育种提供有价值的材料。     

Einfluss rezenter Klimaveränderungen auf die Phänologie bei Kernobst am Standort Klein-Altendorf – anhand 50-jähriger Aufzeichnungen

This project examines the effects of climate change on pome fruit phenology at Klein-Altendorf in the Rhineland fruit-growing region in the West of Germany, using 50 years of weather data and phenology records, including beginning of flowering (F1), full bloom (F2), harvest date and leaf drop of apple and pear, with the following results:

1. Fifty years of weather records and pome phenology data showed a distinct separation between a first phase (1958–1987), which was 0.42°C cooler, and a second phase (1988–2007), which was 0.66°C warmer than the long-term, 50 year temperature average of 9.4°C, indicating the start of the climate change in 1988.
2. Annual average temperatures rose from 8.8°C to 10.2°C, i.e. by 1.4°C over 50 years at Klein-Altendorf, which affected the apple phenology. A comparison of the second phase (average temp. 10.1°C) with the first phase (9.0°C) resulted in a temperature rise of 1.1°C; the temperature rise in the winter (1.2°C) was greater (by 0.2°C) than in the summer (1.0°C). This temperature rise in the last 20 years (second phase, 1988–2007) was more pronounced in the winter months January ( $ + $ 1.7°C) and February ( $ + $ 1.8°C) than in the spring months March and May both with $ + $ 1.4°C leading to enhanced early post-bloom fruit drop, and July ( $ + $ 1.3°C) and August ( $ + $ 1.6°C).
3. Annual precipitation remained constant at ca. 600?mm with an increase in February, March and April and an equivalent decrease in May (?10?mm) and July (?7?mm) during fruit development.
4. Soil temperatures increased by 2.6°C and hence greater than the air temperature ( $ + $ 1.45°C) over the last 50 years; this increase was most pronounced between January and March.
5. Minimum air temperatures increased also by 2.6°C from ?6.1°C in March 1958 to ?3.5°C in March 2007. The more advanced flowering, brought about by warmer January to March temperatures, now coincides with late spring frosts, thereby maintaining the risk of yield loss due to spring frost in April, a month when the minimum temperature still continues to drop.
6. On average, apple and pear flowering was 10 days earlier without extension of the flowering period after warm winters and appeared more severely affected than the harvest period (3–9 days) and leaf drop (2–3 days earlier) with distinct varietal differences. The apple flowering period was 4 days shorter in the last 10 years and reduced from 12–15 days to 8–10 days. Early maturing cultivars (cvs) ripened 3–4 days earlier, while late cvs ripened 8–12 days earlier. The period between harvest and leaf drop was extended by 2–7 (apple) to 11 days (pear), which requires regional differentiation according to the respective climatic zone and may be beneficial for nutrient translocation into the perennial woody parts of the tree.
7. Since the changes in the temperature-based vegetation period did not explain the effects of climate change on pome phenology, a `pomological vegetation interval' between the beginning of flowering and beginning of leaf drop was defined and was extended by climate change in spring by 0–10 days in apple and by 8 days in pear. Based on flowering (F1, F2) advances, the Meckenheim fruit-growing region was more strongly affected by the climate change compared with other European fruit growing regions.

     

Flowering and fruiting phenology,and physico-chemical characteristics of 2-year-old plants of six species of Opuntia from eight regions of Morocco

SUMMARY

We have described the flowering and fruiting phenology of 14 accessions of six Opuntia species grown in Morocco: O. ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. aequatorialis, O. dillenii, O. leucotricha, and O. stricta. We also determined the physicochemical characteristics of their cladodes. For each accession, we used four-to-20 plants. Two systems were used to measure phenology: the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH)-scale and the National Phenology Monitoring System. Five principal stages were described: the development of vegetatively-propagated organs (vegetative buds), the development of flower buds, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturity. The number of vegetative buds varied significantly among the 14 accessions, while only four accessions produced flower buds. After reaching their final size, fruit lengths varied from 3.40–6.40 cm, while fruit diameters varied from 1.93–3.90 cm. The average cladode number differed significantly among genotypes and varied from 1.75–7.75. There were also significant differences in cladode length (13.75–30.63 cm), width (6.25–17.33 cm), thickness (0.65–1.38 cm), fresh weight (FW; 67.50–766.00 g), and dry weight (DW; 8.75–67.15 g) between species. Water content and ash content, as well as total protein and total sugar concentrations, showed significant differences and were within the ranges of 86.67–92.04% (w/w), 12.97–22.08g 100 g^?1 DW, 4.64–11.56g 100 g^?1 DW, and 3.22–12.51 g 100 g^?1 DW, respectively. Our results will help in the development of agronomic management practices and improve the characterisation, valorisation, and use of cactus pear species grown in Morocco.     

Correlations between quantitative tree and fruit almond traits and their implications for breeding

Correlations between 29 quantitative tree and fruit traits were studied in 46 almond genotypes and some inter-specific crosses. Results reflected a significant diversity in the assayed almond germplasm. In addition, the obtained cluster demonstrated varying degrees of relationships, illustrating higher correlation values for the flowering traits and lower correlation values for the nut and kernel traits. To determine the importance of the traits and the levels of similarity existing between the various studied traits, a discriminate analysis was carried out. According to the results obtained from these analyses, the different traits were discriminated on basis of the characteristics of the presence of double kernels, the nut and the kernel size, the flowering date, kernel yield and shelling percentage. Finally, this study evidenced correlations between most of the agronomic traits in almond, although the correlations coefficient (r) value was found to be higher than 0.5 only in some cases. This analysis can help breeders for choosing the most favorable entries to build a core subset of the almond collection for the purpose of breeding.     

东北寒地96份李种质资源表型性状遗传多样性分析

为了深入了解李（Prunus L.）种质资源表型性状的变异特点和多样性,按照《李种质资源描述规范和数据标准》,对黑龙江省农业科学院牡丹江分院李资源圃内保存的96份寒地李种质资源20个描述型表型性状进行观测和描述,对16个数量型表型性状进行相关性、聚类、主成分等分析。结果表明,20个描述型性状,共观测到66个变异类型,其中叶片形状、果皮颜色、果核形状等变异范围较大。Shannon-Wiener信息指数（H）和Simpson遗传多样性指数（D）变化范围分别为0.3768 ~ 1.3993和0.2188 ~ 0.7196,其中果皮颜色（H：1.2093,D：0.6814）、叶片形状（H：1.1227,D：0.5484）等性状多样性指数较高。16个数量型性状中,单果质量变异系数最大,为61.32%;果形指数变异系数最小,为8.72%。聚类分析将96份寒地李种质资源在欧式距离22处将各种质资源分为3大类群,其中第Ⅰ类可用于选育离核、抗性强的品种;第Ⅱ类可用于选育抗性强、丰产品种;第Ⅲ类可用于选育果大、可食率高、离核品种。主成分分析结果表明,前5个主成分累计贡献率达到78.191%,主要有果实纵径、果实横径、1年生枝粗等性状,主要反映了果实大小和枝条性状因子,果实性状对于东北寒地李种质资源表型性状变异的贡献率最大,一年生枝条次之。结合相关性分析结果,16个数量型性状可简化为果实纵径、果实横径、叶片宽、果核横径、果形指数、叶片长、1年生枝粗7个主要指标,提高了寒地李种质资源评价和选育鉴定工作的效率。性     

Mechanische Fruchtbehangsregulierung verringerte den Junifruchtfall und verbesserte die Fruchtqualität und Fruchtgröße bei ‚Conference‘- und ‚Alexander Lucas‘-Birnen

In the absence of any chemicals approved for thinning pears but market demand for large particularly cv. ‘Conference’ fruit, the objective of the present study as part of a MSC thesis was to improve fruit quality i.e. achieve these fruit sizes by mechanical blossom thinning. Therefore, 18-year-old cv. ‘Conference’ pear trees, trained as super spindles, on quince A rootstock with a spacing of 4?×?0.4 m were used in Klein-Altendorf near Bonn, Germany; cv. ‘A. Lucas’ and un-thinned trees served as control. These pear trees with intense flowering were blossom-thinned on 15 April 2009 with rotor speeds of either 300 rpm or 400 rpm both at 5 km/h tractor speed with the new mechanical thinning device developed at the University of Bonn in 2004–2006. Therein, a vertical mast supports three horizontal rotors, whose vertically rotating tines remove excessive flowers; the device is mounted on the front three point hitch of the tractor. In 2009, a year with severe June drop, mechanical thinning reduced the intensity of the natural June drop with increasing rotor speed and was stronger reduced in cv. ‘A. Lucas’ (by ?38%) than in cv. ‘Conference’ (by ?27% relative to the control). In cv. ‘A. Lucas’, the natural June drop was as strong as mechanical thinning and resulted in large-sized 80 mm pear fruit in the control; mechanical thinning with 400 rpm further increased fruit mass by 16 g relative to the un-thinned control or 6 g larger than in the thinning with 300 rpm. In cv. ‘Conference’, fruit fell within the next larger fruit size class after the stronger mechanical thinning with 400 rpm at 5 km/h: the portion of pear fruit in the 75/80 mm size class was 2 fold and in the 80/85 mm size class was 6 fold that in the control. The portion of <?60, 60/65 mm and 65/70 mm fruit was halved relative to the control; the average fruit mass was increased by 40 g. Vegetative growth appeared unaffected by mechanical thinning. The risk of both over-sized fruit and over-thinning appears small, since mechanical thinning reduced the natural June drop and did not induce subsequent fruit drop. Mechanical thinning was more efficient in cv. ‘Conference’, as intended, despite more intense flowering in cv. ‘A Lucas’. An economic evaluation proved difficult, since the natural June drop particularly in cv. ‘A. Lucas’ led to large-sized fruit (80 mm) in the control, and any (mechanical) thinning is associated with lower yields (?26% in cv. ‘Conference’ and ?12% in cv. ‘A. Lucas’). Overall, the results indicate the potential of mechanical thinning as a substitute (or combination partner for chemical thinning if approved) in pear.     

Morphological characterization of ‘Oblačinska’ sour cherry by multivariate analysis

A wide range of ‘Obla?inska’ sour cherry germplasm was collected from the most important growing regions in Serbia. Twenty nine variables were recorded in 41 accessions to determine the overall degree of polymorphism and to detect similarities among genotypes. The highest degree of variability was observed in traits related to number and composition of fruiting twigs, fruit set and yield. The majority of significant correlation coefficients were found in the characteristics representing fruit and leaf size. Principal component analysis (PCA) makes the phenotypical diversity determination and separation of similar genotypes possible. Variables with high discriminating values were those related to fruit and leaf size, yield efficiency, blooming time and flowering density. Based on the results from this study, the genotypes XI/3 and II/10 can be recommended for cultivation. The clonal selection and conservation of the highly diverse autochthonous population of sour cherry are also recommended.     

寒地梨种质资源表型多样性研究

对寒地梨种质资源表型性状的Simpson和Shannon多样性指数、标准差、变异系数和聚类分析等研究表明幼叶颜色、叶面状态、果实形状、抗寒性、抗梨黑星病、单果质量、可溶性固形物等性状多样性指数较高,变异度大,可为梨育种提供良好变异的群体;尤其是保存了多份极抗寒资源,抗寒性中等资源较少,无抗寒性弱和极弱的资源;果实形状多样性较高,而且性状间分布也较为均匀,可溶性固形物变异系数较大;大果型、抗梨黑星病类型资源分布较少,尚需收集、增加果个大、高抗病资源。     

Biodiversity of figs (Ficus carica l.) in Coruh valley of Turkey

The Coruh valley lies within the Caucasus ecological zone, which is considered by the World Wild Fund for Nature and by Conservation International as a one of the biodiversity hotspot in the world. The valley is also recognized by Turkish conservation organizations as an important plant area, an important bird area, a key biodiversity area and has been nominated as a high priority area for protection. This valley is rich in plants and contains 104 nationally threatened plant species of which 67 are endemic to Turkey. Fig (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most important wild edible fruit tree along with pomegranate and olive in the valley. Figs have been used for fresh consumption for centuries and also an important element of natural landscape of the valley. The valley abundantly has black, purple and yellow-green fruited fig trees. In this study we determined some important tree, leaf and fruit morphological characteristics of 50 selected wild grown fig accessions naturally found in the valley. The results showed that the investigated morphological traits of fig accessions displayed significant differences each other. Principal coordinate analysis showed that diversity among the accessions was high and the accessions had black and yellow-green colored fruits were the most diverse groups.     

砧用南瓜种质资源形态学性状与SSR标记分析

搜集了设施黄瓜嫁接栽培中常用的47 份砧用南瓜种质资源,利用63 个形态标记和40 对南瓜SSR 标记,对其进行遗传多样性及亲缘关系鉴定。结果表明,砧用南瓜的8 个质量性状（嫩瓜皮色、瓜形、主蔓色、瓜面斑纹、叶面白斑、叶形、嫩瓜斑纹和嫩瓜斑纹色）和23 个数量性状的多样性指数大于1.00;SSR 标记共检测到167 个等位变异,平均每个SSR 位点的等位基因数为4.18 个,变幅2 ~ 8 个,平均多样性指数为0.62,变化范围0.16 ~ 1.18。非加权算术平均法（UPGMA）聚类分析表明,砧用南瓜63 个形态学性状将47 份种质划分为4 个类群,大部分品种集中于一个类群中;40 对多态性SSR 标记将所有种质划分为3 个类群,大部分品种的分子标记与形态学标记的聚类结果相似。已搜集的47 份砧用南瓜种质资源遗传多样性并不丰富,亲缘关系较近;SSR 标记CMTm11 具有极高的多态性,可用于砧用南瓜种质分子标记辅助选择;嫩瓜皮色等8 个质量性状和大部分数量性状都可以作为形态标记辅助种质资源评价及新品种选育。     

Verfrühung von Süßkirschen im Folienhaus

Early ripening sweet cherry cvs ‘Burlat’, ‘Earlise’, ‘Samba’, ‘Souvenir des Charmes’ and clone M, which are all characterised by large fruit size and dark red fruit, on GiSelA 5 rootstock were forced – by closing a polytunnel from 24 March to 20 April 2006 – at Klein-Altendorf research station of Bonn University. A portable gas heater was used for automated frost protection in April. An adjacent uncovered planting at the same spacing of 3.8?m?×?1.75?m served as control. Forcing resulted in a 16–18 days earlier flowering in April relative to the 12–16 days earlier harvest at the beginning of June, resulting in a 2–4 days longer fruit development and retarded ripening. PAR was reduced in the polytunnel by 40% on sunny and 30% on overcast days with a concurrent drop in the humidity to 30% on sunny and 40% on overcast days and nearly 100% relative humidity at night. Polytunnel air temperatures on sunny days were increased – during ventilation – by up to 6?°C relative to the outside, e.g. 33?°C versus 27?°C outside. Forced cherries saved one spray application against aphids compared to those outside. Fully-grown cherry leaves contained 40–60?mg chlorophyll/g FM sufficient for photosynthesis with commensurate chlorophyll contents when grown in the polytunnel compared with those outside, and were deficient in calcium (0.5% DM) and magnesium (0.2% DM), but with a surplus in both nitrogen (3.5% DM) and phosphorus (0.42% DM). The surplus leaf nitrogen was due to excessive nitrogen mineralization in the rich soil under the higher temperatures in the polytunnel which caused the vigorous vegetative growth despite the dwarfing rootstock. Great fluctuations in fertilisation – despite strong flowering and sufficient pollination with honey bees – of between 4–71% may be due to the combination of S-alleles of the cherry varieties, infrequent water supply, nutrient imbalance and microclimate. Trees of cv. ‘Burlat’, ‘Earlise’ and clone M in their fourth leaf yielded an average of 2.5–7.5?kg fruit with 15?kg/tree in one case. Fruit of forced cvs. ‘Burlat’, ‘Souvenir’ and ‘Samba’ were larger compared with those of cv. ‘Earlise’ and clone M, which were smaller as a result of increased fruit load on the tree than those from uncovered control trees. For all five cvs tested, except forced cv. ‘Earlise’, a fruit mass of between 10?g (28?mm ) and 12?g (30?mm) and a sugar content of 12–17% with sugar:acid ratios of 20–37:1 made their fruit suitable for marketing as superior or premium fruit at higher farm-gate prices of 4.5–8?€/kg. Fruits were sufficiently dark red or black and firm for short distance transport and rapid sale. An economic evaluation showed financial gains, when yields exceed 8?kg fruit per tree per year at a farm-gate price of 4.50?€/kg.     

Use of multivariate analysis to assess phenotypic diversity of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars

Twenty one date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) accessions originated from different date palm groves were studied to assess the overall degree of polymorphism, detect similarities between genotypes and assess important agronomic traits. Thirty vegetative and reproductive variables were scored and subjected to multivariate analysis. Results showed a considerable phenotypic diversity among local date palm germplasm. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that characters related to leaflets length and spine, fruit and seed sizes accounted for a large proportion of the observed variability. Cluster analysis (CA) showed a typically continuous phenotypic diversity among date palm accessions and little associations between accessions from same geographic origin. Also, some heterogeneity within accessions that received the same denomination was evidenced.