CHARACTERIZATION OF SCAB RESISTANT LITHUANIAN APPLE CULTIVARS

An apple (Malus domestica Mill.) breeding program has been in existence at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture since 1952. Several scab resistant cultivars, including ‘Staris’, ‘Aldas’, ‘Skaistis’ and ‘Rudenis’, were developed from this breeding program.
Pomological and economical characters of these cultivars were studied.
Each of the investigated cultivars are suitable for yield, storage life and fruit quality.
DNA analysis using a Vfa1 gene-like sequence-specific marker was performed.
Our results showed that the cultivars ‘Aldas’, ‘Skaistis’ and ‘Rudenis’ are immune to Venturia ineaqualis races 1 to 5 and have a DNA fragment of 500 bp specific for the Vfa1 gene.
The cultivar ‘Staris’, which is unaffected by scab thus far, has no Vfa1 gene-like sequence.
Based on the results from the present study, these scab resistant Lithuanian apple cultivars are recommended for growing in commercial plantations, for organic horticulture, and for breeding.
A short description of these cultivars is given.

XXVII International Horticultural Congress – IHC2006: II International Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources of Horticultural Crops

A. Sasnauskas, D. Gelvonauskienė, V. Bendokas, V. Stanys, R. Rugienius, C. Bobinas, D. Baniulis

Malus domestica Mill., cultivars, sequence specific DNA markers, quality

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.760.72