S-RNase genotyping of autochthonous apple cultivars grown in the region of central and southwestern Serbia

Identification of S-genotypes in autochthonous apple cultivars is an important step in their molecular characterization and also of enormous significance for breeders and growers, since this fruit species exhibits a gametophytic self-incompatibility, controlled by the multi-allelic S-locus which prevents self-fertilisation.
The aim of this work was to identify the S-genotypes in the following ten autochthonous apple cultivars grown in individual growers’ orchards in the regions of central and southwestern Serbia: ‘Budimka’, ‘Džumurka’, ‘Ilinjača’ (Jezdina), ‘Ilinjača’ (Trnava), ‘Kolačara’, ‘Kraljica’, ‘Lepocvetka’, ‘Senabija’, ‘Šumatovka’ and ‘Vidovača’. The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with consensus primers, that correspond to the previously identified C2 and C5 conserved regions, and allele-specific primers revealed 11 alleles: S₁‒S₅, S₇, S₂₀, S₂₄, S₂₆, S₂₈ and S₄₄. Among the assessed cultivars, the following ploidy levels at the S-locus have been identified: four cultivars were diploids, three triploids and one was tetraploid; additionally, S₁S_x genotype was revealed in two cultivars.
This study provides new information about cross-compatibility of cultivars and pollenizers, and might be used in parental choice within breeding programs, as well as in the choice of cultivars/pollenizers for the commercial orchards.
In addition, the autochthonous cultivars can make a valuable contribution to the widening of the apple genetic base and the prevention of genetic erosion in future economically important cultivars.

V Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing

S. Marić, I. Glišić, N. Milošević, T. Vujović, S. Radičević, M. Đorđević

Malus × domestica, accession, gametophytic self-incompatibility, S-locus, S-allelic constitution

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1449.13