Loss of genetic diversity as a signature of apricot domestication and diffusion into the Mediterranean Basin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Domestication generally implies a loss of diversity in crop species relative to their wild ancestors because of genetic drift through bottleneck effects. Compared to native Mediterranean fruit species like olive and grape, the loss of genetic diversity is expected to be more substantial for fruit species introduced into Mediterranean areas such as apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), which was probably primarily domesticated in China. By comparing genetic diversity among regional apricot gene pools in several Mediterranean areas, we investigated the loss of genetic diversity associated with apricot selection and diffusion into the Mediterranean Basin.

Results

According to the geographic origin of apricots and using Bayesian clustering of genotypes, Mediterranean apricot

SUBMITTER: Bourguiba H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3511222 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature