Inheritance of self- and graft-incompatibility traits in an F1 apricot progeny

PLoS One. 2019 May 9;14(5):e0216371. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216371. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Floral self-incompatibility affecting yearly yield in a weather-dependent manner and graft incompatibility affecting longevity of mature trees are two important traits for apricot production. However, genetic control of graft compatibility and relationship between these traits are unknown. Here, we analyzed its inheritance in an F1 apricot progeny from a cross between self- and graft- incompatible and self- and graft-compatible cultivars. Hybrid individuals were genotyped for establishing self-incompatibility status and grafted on the plum rootstock 'Marianna 2624'. Phenotyping of graft incompatibility was done at two time points, one month and one year after grafting. Anatomical (necrotic layer, bark and wood discontinuity for two consecutive years) and cytomorphological (cell proliferation, cell arrangement and cell shape one month after grafting) characteristics related to graft compatibility displayed continuous variation within the progeny, suggesting a polygenic inheritance. Using the Pearson correlation test, strong and significant correlations were detected between anatomical and cytomorphological traits that may reduce the number of characters for screening genotypes or progenies for graft compatibility in segregating crosses. Furthermore, no correlation existed between self- and graft incompatibility traits suggesting that they are independent inheritance traits. Hence, screening an extended hybrid population is required for pyramiding these traits in breeding programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crosses, Genetic*
  • Prunus armeniaca / genetics*
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable*

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the grants RTA2012-00097 and the RTA2015-00046 from the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), and the Research Group A12 of Aragon, Spain. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.