Determination of (in)compatibility genotypes of Hungarian sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) accessions by PCR based methods

Abstract

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are generally self-incompatible and pollinator cultivars are needed in orchards for reliable yield. In Hungary, choosing the appropriate cross-compatible cultivar pairs has so far been based on traditional test-crosses in the field. In recent years PCR-based methods that allow the identification of the S-alleles responsible for compatibility have been elaborated. We have determined the S-allele constitution of 24 cultivars and four selections important to Hungarian growers and breeders using PCR-based methods developed at Horticulture Research International, East Malling. The 28 accessions had various pairs of 9 alleles including one new allele, S r . They could be assigned to 12 of the existing incompatibility groups or to a new group (S 4 S 12 ) for which the designation 'Group XXVII' is proposed. The cultivars Krupnoplodnaja' and 'Rita' had novel genotypes, S 5 S 9 and S 5 S x , respectively and can be placed into group 0 that holds universal pollen donors. The genotype of the cultivar ‘Hedelfingeni óriás' grown in Hungary was found to be S 3 S 4 and therefore different from the cultivar Hedelfingen' that is widespread in Western Europe.