Genetic diversity and apple leaf spot disease resistance characterization assessed by SSR markers

Abstract

Among the cultivation problems of apple production in Brazil, Apple Leaf Spot (ALS) disease represents one of the main breeding challenges. This study aims at analyzing the genetic diversity among 152 apple scion accessions available at the Apple Gene Bank of EPAGRI, located in Caçador, Santa Catarina/ Brazil. Eleven genomic SSR loci were analyzed to assess genetic diversity of ALS resistant and susceptible accessions. Results revealed high genetic diversity of the studied accessions, being 120 exclusive alleles (67 unique) from scion accessions resistant to ALS, and a mean PIC of 0.823. The locus Probability of Identity (I) ranged from 0.017 to 0.089. The combined I was 4.11 × 10-16, and the Power of Exclusion was 99.99999259%. In addition, the DNA fingerprint patterns will contribute as additional descriptors to select parental for crosses and early identification of apple accessions for breeding purposes, and also for cultivar protection.