Dynamic conservation of apricot Prunus armeniaca in saharian oases:: use of AFLP markers to assess genetic diversity in traditional orchards

The genetic diversity of a traditional apricot ( Prunus armeniaca) orchard in the Saharian oasis of El Golea was assessed using AFLP markers. We first showed that the technique can be used efficiently with Prunus armeniaca. Nineteen individuals sampled in three orchards were analyzed with seven primer combinations. A total of 197 bands were amplified, among which 97 revealed polymorphism. Genetic relationships among the individuals were assessed based on a Nei and Li's distance matrix using both the construction of a Neighbour Joining tree and an Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). The analyses show that there is no clear genetic structure between the orchards examined. These preliminary results are discussed in the view of implementing dynamic conservation programmes aimed at limiting the erosion of the genetic diversity of Saharian agrosystems.