Morphological and molecular characterization for six seedling genotypes of
Pistachio vera L (V1,V2,V3,V4,V5, and V6) in comparison with the most
commercial and wide spread varieties, Ashoury andWhite batoury was carried
out in Swaida province, sou
thern of Syria. Nuts chemical contents (dry
substance, moisture, total sugar and oil content) for both fresh and dry nuts
weight were also evaluated.
Seedling genotypes showed obvious differences toward the main diagnostic
traits, such as alternate bearing phenomena, the ratio of kernel weight to total
nut weight, split nuts percentage and loss percentage. Genotype V4 was
recognized by some important characters compared with the other genotypes
studied. Cluster analysis was assessed according to the existence or absence of
the most important studying morphological and agronomic indexes. All
genotypes studied and comparative cultivars were clustered into four groups.
RAPD technique was achieved using 25 randomly primers, 19 of which were
polymorphic with an average of polymorphism percentage of (66.47%). The
highest value of genetic similarity (0.81) was between Ashoury and V5
genotype, whereas the lowest value (0.56) was between V3 and V6. Cluster
analysis depending on RAPD data divided the population studied into two main
groups. RAPD unique band was estimated (37 unique band, 21 positive and 16
negative).
It was concluded that RAPD technique can be used efficiently to emphasize,
identify, insure and evaluate the genetic diversity of Pistachio vera.
The experiment detected the chill hour requirements of 6 female and 8 male
varieties of Pistachio (Pictacia vera L.) cultivated in Aleppo, Idleb, Hama and
Dar’a in Syria needed to break down their bud dormancy. Studied cuttings left
at 2°C in cool
chamber for 650, 750, 850, 950, 1050 and 1150 hours were placed
into growth chamber offering temperature, moisture and brightness similar to
those available in nature during the period of blooming flowers. Statistical
analysis distinguished clearly between the chill requirements of the female and
the male varieties, where the males needed lower cold hours. Also, the female
varieties showed differences among them in their chill requirements due to
genetic resources which were affected by their geographical areas and
attitudes. The period in the growth chamber needed to reach a proper
blooming ranged between 32 days in the case of Ashoury variety cultivated in
Dar’a with 1150 chill hours and 54 days with Nab Aljamal variety existed in
Hama and Idleb with 650 chill hours. Meanwhile, in the male varieties this
figure was between 22 days for male 2 cultivated in Idleb (1150 chill hour) and
43 days for Male E in Dar’a (650 chill hours). The cluster configuration
between the males and females varieties was sorted by putting them in two
relative distant sub-clusters. The females varieties were distributed sorted into
sub-groups as well, insuring the similarity among the ones belong. In addition,
The males varieties were distributed into two types depending on their earliness
blooming time (early: Hama1, Hama2, Idleb1, Idleb2 – late: A jellin, E Jellin,
Aleppo1, Aleppo2). The results could be useful for the decisions of what
varieties to be grown in certain places depending on natural chill hours
available there.
The research trial was carried out at University of California, Davis,
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension–Kearney
Agricultural Center (KAC).
Part of the scientific work in the laboratory started from November 1, 2001
through
out the end of February 2002. This trial was conducted using Pistacia
vera; the female variety ‘Kerman’ and its pollinator, variety ‘Peters’;… both
are grafted on the rootstock UCB1.
