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.
In the present study, we identified and characterized the apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) homologs of three dormancy-related genes, namely the ParCBF1 (C-repeat binding factor), ParDAM5 (dormancy-associated MADS-BOX) and ParDAM6 genes. All highly conserved structural motifs and the 3D model of the DNA-binding domain indicate an unimpaired DNA-binding ability of ParCBF1. A phylogenetic analysis showed that ParCBF1 was most likely homologous to Prunus mume and Prunus dulcis CBF1. ParDAM5 also contained all characteristic domains of the type II (MIKCC) subfamily of MADS-box transcription factors. The homology modelling of protein domains and a phylogenetic analysis of ParDAM5 suggest its functional integrity. The amino acid positions or small motifs that are diagnostic characteristics of DAM5 and DAM6 were determined. For ParDAM6, only a small part of the cDNA was sequenced, which was sufficient for the quantification of gene expression. The expression of ParCBF1 showed close association with decreasing ambient temperatures in autumn and winter. The expression levels of ParDAM5 and ParDAM6 changed according to CBF1 expression rates and the fulfilment of cultivar chilling requirements. The concomitant decrease of gene expression with endodormancy release is consistent with a role of ParDAM5 and 6 genes in dormancy induction and maintenance. Cultivars with higher chilling requirements and delayed flowering time showed higher expression levels of ParDAM5 and ParDAM6 toward the end of endodormancy. Differences in the timing of anther developmental stages between early- and late-flowering cultivars and two dormant seasons confirmed the genetically and environmentally controlled mechanisms of dormancy release in apricot generative buds. These results support that the newly identified apricot gene homologs have a crucial role in dormancy-associated physiological mechanisms.
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'.
Fruits are rich sources of flavonoid polyphenolic compounds that seem to be associated with favourable healtheffects. Commonalities and differences are well known in the flavonoid contents of different fruit crops, which suggest alterations in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway of fruit tissues. This review aims to collect data from molecular genetic studies on the structural and regulatory genes in grape, berries, citrus, pomes and stone fruits to get impression on the state of the art of this field of science. Results indicate that the expression of flavonoid genes is a genotype-dependent and developmentally regulated process. In addition, genetic alterations resulting in specific changes in flavonoid composition are also highlighted. Analysis of colour mutants of grape, bilberry and orange identified the genes responsible for the altered phenotype, and this strategy might offer valuable tools to identify several other candidate genes in different fruits. The application of such data is also discussed in relation with the development of molecular markers.
Fruit crops have a growing economic importance worldwide and molecular genetics might be useful in solving many problems that arise during commercial production. One of the fields that have attracted intense attention is the molecular basis of self-incompatibility that may result in low fruit set. In tree fruits of the Rosaceae family, the incompatibility reactions take place between the pistil S-ribonuclease (S-RNase) and the pollen-expressed S-haplotype specific F-box (SFB) proteins. In most cases, the loss of self-incompatibility was associated with mutations in the S-RNase or SFB genes. A total of 27 non-functional S-haplotypes have been identified and characterized, most (24) of which emerged as a consequence of natural mutations. In the Prunoideae, most haplotypes are pollen-part mutants (50 %), while 8 are stylar-part mutants (36 %), one haplotype shows both pollen- and stylar-part mutations, and molecular changes for two haplotypes still have not been clarified. In contrast, non-functional natural haplotypes in the Maloideae are all stylar-part mutants. The analysis of such mutants may shed light on underlying molecular mechanisms as was the case with the establishment of the general inhibitor model that describes interactions between pollen and pistil S-proteins. However, several other molecules were supposed to contribute to the molecular interactions, at least in Solanaceae, a family with a similar self-incompatibility system. This review also endeavours to delineate the evolutionary implications of the S-locus mutations and collect limited data on non-S-locus molecular interactions and signaling events after self- and cross-pollination of fruit tree species.
Hungary is located halfway between Nordic Countries where forests have a dominant wood production function, and Southern European countries with an emphasised protective function of forests. When role of forests in economic development is considered, Hungary is also halfway between developing countries which rely on natural resources to a large extent, and developed countries which mostly focus on the protection and conservation of their forests. As a result of this midway position, Hungarian forest policy focuses on finding a balance between economic and protective functions of forest utilisation. However, economic role of forest is often underestimated: ordinary people or even experts emphasise the importance of environmental factors against economic issues. This general opinion indicates that direction of forest policy will turn toward a more natural management in the long run, but economic factors of forestry cannot be neglected in the forthcoming years. In private forests, conflicts between personal and public interest also have to be taken into consideration.
The majority of stone fruit species are self-incompatible, a feature that is determined by a specific recognition mechanism between the S-ribonuclease enzymes residing in the pistils and the F-box proteins expressed in the pollen tubes. Failure in the function of any component of this bipartite system resulted in self-compatibility (SC) in many cultivars of Prunus species. Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.) is the only species in the Prunoideae subfamily that is traditionally known to be self-compatible, but its molecular background is completely unknown. Isoelectric focusing and S-gene specific PCR revealed that SC is not due to functional inability of pistil ribonucleases. We hypothesize that SC may be a consequence of a kind of pollen-part mutation or the action of one or more currently unknown modifier gene(s). Only two S-alleles were identified in a set of peach genotypes of various origin and phenotypes in contrast to the 17–30 alleles described in self-incompatible fruit trees. Most important commercial cultivars carry the same S-allele and are in a homozygote state. This indicates the common origin of these cultivars and also the consequence of self-fertilization. According to the available information, this is the first report to elucidate the role of S-locus in the fertilization process of peach.
