Evaluation of apple varieties of the Sverdlovsk horticultural breeding station according to the ethylene biosynthesis genes using molecular markers

One of the directions of apple breeding in the Middle Urals is the development of varieties with a long-term storability. The ability of apples to maintain their consumer qualities for a long period is one of the most important indicators of the variety. A significant role in the storage of apples is played by the amount of ethylene produced in them. The paper presents the results of identification of genes involved in the control of ethylene biosynthesis in apple varieties selected by the Sverdlovsk horticultural breeding station. A total of 21 apple varieties were analyzed. The main objective of the study was to detect Md-ACO1-1 and Md-ACS1-2 alleles in the homozygous state. The combination of these alleles in one genotype reduces the production of ethylene in fruits, which contributes to their long-term storability. The analysis showed the availability of polymorphism in the two studied genes. The Md-ACO1 gene is characterized by the availability of two alleles in most varieties. The homozygous Md-ACO1-1 allele was identified in the Isetskoe pozdnee variety. Analysis of the Md-ACS1 gene revealed the predominance of the Md-ACS1-1 allele form. The Md-ACS1-2 allelic form was observed only in heterozygous samples. No combination of Md-ACO1-1 and Md-ACS1-2 alleles was found in the homozygous state. However, heterozygous forms are also of interest for breeding. They can serve as a source of a character of reduced ethylene biosynthesis when creating varieties with a long-term storability. Such varieties are Sokol yasnyy, Aksena, Rozovatoe zimnee, Sverdlovchanin, Isetskoe pozdnee, Blagaya vest'. The comparison of fruit storage periods and the genotype of the variety has been made. Allelesassociated with a reduced level of ethylene biosynthesis are typical both for the varieties with low and high storability.

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