Variability, organisation and identification of Tunisian apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars using AFLP markers

Widely adapted in most of the temperate areas in the world, apricot can be found in Tunisia in many contrasting zones, exhibiting a large variability, both from the climatic and the ecological points of view. In order to assess the genetic variability of this species, surveys were conducted in several areas of the country. Trees which were propagated by grafting and by seed were sampled. A total of 181 accessions were collected and characterised using AFLP markers. DNA extracted from young leaves was amplified with seven EcoRI-MseI AFLP primer combinations. Autoradiographs revealed a set of 303 polymorphic markers from the total of 398 detected bands, representing a high average polymorphism. Hierarchical clustering (UPGMA) revealed a large genetic diversity. It enabled the identification of several subgroups characterised by their earliness, type of fruit, type of propagation and geographic origin. It also allowed the resolution of some cases of homonymy and synonymy.