Detection of Genetic Relativity in Some Similar Apple (Malus domestica L.) Varieties Using Pomological and Molecular Techniques

In this study, genetic relationships among six apple varieties cultivated in our country were determined using rapd (randomly amplified polymorphic dna) molecular markers technique. 10 rapd primers produced 47 polymorphic bands. the number of polymorphic bands (9) were obtained from primers s 101 and s 443 while the least number of polymorphic bands (2) were obtained from primers s 35, s 128 and s 165. the average number of polymorphic bands per primer was 4,7. among varieties, the highest similarity index was determined between mutsu and gelendost (0,878) but the lowest similarity index was identified between starkrimson and gelendost (0,573). the clustering analysis showed two main groups. while starkrimson formed a main group, all of the the other varieties were clustered in the secon main group. the second main group were divided into three subgroups. while golden delicious variety were clustered into one subgroup, mutsu and gelendost formed the second subgroup. the third subgroup contained anglyska zelena and dlatro prevuzhodna varieties. moreover, we have also compared the varieties pomologically based on the upov criteria. the results showed significant differences among varieties in terms of fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit shape index, fruit firmness, fruit peel color, fruit juice, ph, total soluble solids, pedicel length, pedicel thickness, pedical bowl width, pedical bowl depth, flower bowl width, flower bowl depth, seed bowl depth, seed bowl width, core lenght, core width and core thickness.