Malus sieversii: a historical, genetic, and conservational perspective of the primary progenitor species of domesticated apples.

ABSTRACT: Apples are one of the most valued tree fruit crops around the world. Currently, a few highly popular and economically successful apple cultivars dominate the commercial production and serve as main genetic contributors to the development of new apple cultivars. This limited level of genetic diversity grown as a clonally propagated monoculture renders the apple industry vulnerable to the wide range of weather events, pests, and pathogens. Wild apple species are an excellent source of beneficial alleles for the wide range of biotic and abiotic stressors challenging apple production. However, the biological barriers of breeding with small-fruited wild apples greatly limit their use. Using a closely related wild species of apple such as Malus sieversii can improve the efficiency of bree

SUBMITTER: Tegtmeier R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11718403 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature