ISHS Acta Horticulturae 814: XII EUCARPIA Symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics
EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT APRICOT VARIABILITY IN TUNISIA - COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | L. Krichen, N. Trifi-Farah, M. Marrakchi, J.M. Audergon |
| Keywords: | Prunus armeniaca, genetic resources, characterization, diversity, genetic erosion |
| Abstract:
Apricot is widely cultivated in Tunisia showing a large variability among apricot landraces. Recent surveys performed in the main areas, lead to the identification of 112 accessions, 76 grafted ones issued from the northern, central, and south-eastern areas, and 36 seed-propagated ones, called ‘Bargougs’, encountered in the oasis areas. Their characterization has been assessed with morphological characters by using a subset of the UPOV descriptor, based on fruit and leaves quantitative traits. The apricot landraces characterization allowed the identification of a large variability w,hich is structured in two main groups related to fruit characters and enabled the distinction between ‘Bargougs’ accessions and varieties. Within the variety group, homogenous sub-groups have been highlighted and defined as ‘population cultivars’. Some original and interesting characters have been identified related to fruit colour, fruit shape and aroma; they will be useful for future breeding programs. Tremendous genetic erosion has been shown in the Tunisian apricot landraces by comparison with previous studies. This has to be taken in consideration by the creation of an accurate genetic resource collection. | |
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