Phenotypic and molecular analysis of scab in autochthonous apple germplasm from Northeastern Spain

Abstract

Until now, there are more than 150 scab resistant or tolerant apple cultivars on the market, but these cultivars have been obtained in northern Europe or America (Belete and Boryaz, 2017), areas where climatic conditions are very different from those of the Mediterranean regions (Iglesias et al. 2014). Therefore, it is important to evaluate and characterize apple genetic resources available in our growing areas against resistance to scab, since it represents a great opportunity to identify resistant genotypes adapted to our conditions. The apple germplasm collection prospected in mountain areas from Aragon (Spain) show a wide phenotypic variability of resistance genes to scab disease. These results will serve as a basis for the selection of local cultivars that present resistance to scab, and these mountain areas (Pyrenees and Iberian Cordillera) can therefore be viewed as an untapped source of genes for future apple breeding program.