This review gives a presentation of the gametophytic self-incompatibility system in the roscaeous fruit trees. Studies to discover the pistil (S-ribonucleases) and pollen-part components (F-box molecules) are summarized and models for the self-incompatibility reactions as well as their molecular background are discussed. We describe how mutations within the S-RNase or F-box genes can contribute to the transition from self-incompatibility to the self-compatible phenotype in many fruit tree crops. The current state of the arts is compared to the information obtained in other plant species possessing similar incompatibility system.
The S -genotypes of a set of Turkish and Hungarian apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of their S - RNase intron regions. In addition, the S -genotyping method was extended to the SFB gene to detect the non-functional S C -haplotype and hence reliably identify self-compatible apricot cultivars. We determined the complete S -genotype of 51 cultivars and the partial S -genotype of four cultivars. A total of 32 different S -genotypes were assigned to the 51 cultivars, and many of them (28) were classified into newly established cross-incompatibility groups III through XIV. Another 12 cultivars demonstrated unique incompatible genotypes and seven self-compatible cultivars were identified in the examined accessions. The fact that Turkish and Hungarian apricot cultivars carry 12 and five S -alleles, respectively, and all five alleles detected in Hungarian cultivars were also present in Turkish apricots furnished molecular evidence supporting the long-suspected historical connection between Hungarian and Turkish apricots. The connection between these two gene pools appeared to be relatively recent and associated with historical events dating back 300 years. Our results confirm that Turkish germplasm contributed considerably to the development of several desirable Hungarian apricot cultivars. Results suggest that the mutation rendering the S C -haplotype non-functional might have occurred somewhere east of central Turkey.
Names of housing subdivisions are considered in this paper as transitional names sharing characteristics with prototypical place names, names of institutions and trade names: apart from identifying a place, their basic function is to inform and influence potential customers. This influence can more easily be exerted if the appellative meanings of the names identifying the housing subdivisions evoke pleasant concepts. The requirements, preferences and values expressed in the names of housing subdivisions (e.g. youth, wealth, exclusivity, elegance, glamour) aim at today’s citizen consumers, whose consciousness is unified in this respect by the media. Housing subdivisions must be sold, and to achieve this all possibilities, including name formation, offered by the language have to be exploited.
Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) is one of the most important fruit crops showing ribonuclease-mediated self-incompatibility, and no self-compatible apple cultivars are known. Twenty-nine S-alleles were identified in apple and many more incompatibility groups are present compared to sweet cherry. Results from a Belgian, English and a Japanese research group are combined and the S-genotypes of the most important world cultivars are collected. Two different allele labelling system are reconciled and detection methods used in case of the specific alleles are shown. Effects of the resistance breeding programmes are discussed; and scientific efforts involving transgenic technology to create self-compatible genotypes are shown. This review covers the most interesting issues regarding self-incompatibility in apple.
Self-incompatibility (SI) in flowering plants is a widespread genetic system that promotes out-crossing. In Prunus species the SI is a gametophytic trait, which is controlled by a single multiallelic locus, termed S-locus. S-alleles codify stylar glycoproteins with ribonuclease activity (S-RNases). Our objective was to assess the S-genotype of some Hungarian apricot varieties by isoelectric focusing of stylar RNases as well as by PCR analysis using cherry consensus primers. Consensus primers amplified one or two bands of various sizes. Primers amplifying the 1st intron gained fragments the size of which ranged from 250 to 500 bp; while those amplifying the 2nd intron resulted in fragments of 800-2000 by length. Our data demonstrated that the first intron of the apricot S-RNase gene is shorter than the second one, which coincides with the structure of cherry S-RNase alleles. `Hargrand' (S1S2) and `Harcoe (S1S4) possessed one common S-RNase isoenzyme. Hungarian 'Orias' apricot cultivars showed different bands compared to the previous cultivars, but they shared completely identical patterns confirming that they possess the same S-genotype. 'Bergeron', `Harmat' and 'Korai zamatos' are characterised by an evidently distinct S-RNase pattern. The self-compatible cultivar (`Bergeron') had one allele, which suggests its correspondence to the Sc. Primers for the 2nd intron was unsuccessful in gaining fragments, which indicates that the 2nd intron in the Sc allele is too long to get any amplification. On the basis of our data, identities and differences were revealed in the S-allele constitution of some economically important Hungarian apricot cultivars at protein and DNA levels.
The aim of our drying trials was to determine the drying suitability of stone fruits. The tested species were sour and sweet cherries and European plums too. Data and results of sweet cherry drying were published earlier (Klincsek et. al. 2005, 2006).This article containing results of twenty sour cherry and six European plum varieties. Laboratory tests, drying processes and sensory testing were done at Fruit Quality Testing Laboratory of Fruit Science Department of Corvinus University of Budapest. The sensory tests and their valuations were done by the instruction of National Institute for Agricultural Quality Control. In the case of sour cherries by one year data in 2004 we divided fruits to five categories by suitability for making dried fruit. Varieties in the first two groups are the followings: most suggested for making dried, fruits: 'Meteor korai' and `Érdi jubileum'; suggested: 'IV-3-48' and `Piramis'.In the case of European plums three varieties can be suggested for making dried fruits from the six tested cultivars: ‘Révfülöpi’, Althann gage' and `Besztercei'.
Knowledge of dormancy traits are important in peach breeding. Traditional method selection of seedlings takes a long time because of the juvenile period of plants; therefore, novel application of marker assisted selection methods are needed to accelerate this work. The aims of this study were to test the extent of variability in the PpSOC1 gene among 16 peach cultivars and to establish whether the variability of SOC1 can be used as a functional marker for the timing of endodormancy break based on a 14-year phenology evaluation covering nine consecutive phenology phases, from string stage to ripening. Based on an SSR motif of SOC1, three allele categories were detected: one peach cultivar was heterozygous (203/209), while five of the 15 homozygous cultivars carried a 203 bp allele and the remainder were characterized with 218 bp. There were significant correlations between the PpSOC1 alleles and the various phenology phases, the strongest one being observed at the string stage, marking the end of endodormancy. At this stage, PpSOC1 explained 82.6% of the phenotypic variance; cultivars with the 203 allele reached the string stage 11.7 days earlier than those with 218 bp allele. This finding makes the PpSOC1 screening a valuable method in breeding.
Almond [ Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb.] is cultivated for its nuts and is one of the oldest domesticated plants. Due to the genetically controlled self-incompatibility system that operates in this species, almond is characterized by great genetic diversity, the estimation of which has benefited from a range of marker techniques, including morphological characteristics, isoenzyme detection and molecular markers. Among the DNA-based molecular markers, simple sequence repeats (SSR) have been used most widely, although analyses have ranged from restriction fragment length polymorphism to the most recent single nucleotide polymorphism detection methods. Molecular markers have also been used to trace specific agronomic traits, e.g. self-(in)compatibility or kernel bitterness. Genetic diversity studies in almond have not revealed a direct relationship between the level of diversity and the origin of the germplasm. This might be explained by the relatively recent occurrence of self-compatibility in almond, which has not yet caused a serious loss of genetic diversity. The markers reviewed will be useful in monitoring and maintaining genetic diversity in almond breeding programmes, while others may permit marker-assisted selection for favourable agronomic traits. The cultivation, breeding and conservation of wild-growing almonds may equally benefit from the genetic diversity studies (especially those applying molecular markers).
