APPLICATION OF RECENT BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSERVATION OF RARE FRUIT SPECIES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

P. Martínez-Gómez, R. Sánchez-Pérez, P.J. Soler, M. Rubio, K. Majourhat, A. Hafidi, M. Zeinolabedini, M. Khayam, V. Grigorian, D. Erogul, T.M. Gradziel
Results of this work are from different international projects studying germplasm from rare fruit species in developing countries including the argan tree (Morocco), the date palm (Morocco) and several wild almond species (Iran). In this study, the application of recent biotechnological tools for conservation of these rare fruit species, including in vitro and hydroponic culture protocols, improved propagation techniques and molecular marker application, is described. Promising propagation methods include in vitro protocols well adapted to these rare fruit species that allow the introduction, micropropagation and rooting of plant material, and developing hydroponic culture protocols that allow the early propagation of high-risk genotypes. In addition, the growth of seedlings in controlled environmental conditions in greenhouse and cold chamber provides a useful strategy for obtaining vigorously growing plants from seeds year round. Molecular markers have also become an essential tool for the study and conservation of these species. Regarding the PCR amplification of the DNA, two main strategies have been applied, RAPD and SSR markers, in the genetic characterization of this germplasm, the establishment of genetic relationships between cultivars and species, and the future construction of genetic maps of these rare fruit species.
Martínez-Gómez, P., Sánchez-Pérez, R., Soler, P.J., Rubio, M., Majourhat, K., Hafidi, A., Zeinolabedini, M., Khayam, M., Grigorian, V., Erogul, D. and Gradziel, T.M. (2008). APPLICATION OF RECENT BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSERVATION OF RARE FRUIT SPECIES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Acta Hortic. 771, 191-196
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.771.28
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.771.28
Prunus, argan, date palm, germplasm, propagation techniques, molecular markers, breeding program
English

Acta Horticulturae