Protocols for Micropropagation of Woody Trees and Fruits

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K. PRUSKI
Table 5. The effect of outdoor acclimatization on % survival of field transplants of Prunus
fruticosa (Pruski unpublished).
Acclimatization
Period (days)
% Survival 3 month.
after planting
% Winter survival
0 89.5 100
5 95.3 100
10 98.0 100
2.3. Molecular Marker Analysis
The search for biochemical and molecular markers for the genus Prunus was
initiated relatively recently. Since morphological markers are time consuming and
prone to equivocal interpretations the work on development of DNA markers
(RFLPs, RAPDs) for fruit trees has been encouraged (Eldridge et al., 1992).
Initially, isoenzymes markers in Prunus crops like peach, almond and cherry
were developed (Monet & Gribault, 1991; Arús et al., 1994; Boskovic & Tobutt, 1994).
In addition to the isozyme markersm RAPD, RFLP and AFLP (Arús et al., 1994)
which are used to clearly distinguish the different stone fruit cultivars, additional
markers, such as SSRs have recently been developed for peach (Cipriani et al., 1999).
Although both the Mongolian cherry and the Nanking cherry belong to a genus
group of Prunus cerasus, there is no reported work on development of DNA markers
for these two species, most likely due to their lesser importance as fruit crops.
2.4. Cytology
2.4.1. Taxonomy
Both Prunus fruitcosa and P. tomentosa belong to the subfamily Prunoide, and the
family Rosaceae. The seven subgenera in Prunus are determined basically by how
the leaves are rolled up in the bud, whether the flowers are organized in cymes or in
racemes and by morphological characteristics of the generative organs (for example
the color and size of flowers, fruit, stone and seed traits) (Strasburger et al., 1991).
Both Mongolian and Nanking cherry belong to subgenus Cerasus and are included
in the list below:
– AMYGDLALUS (almonds): P. amygdalus, P.bucharica, P. kuramica, P. nana,
P. Orientalis, P. Webbii
– PERSICA (peaches): P. davidiana, P. ferganensis, P. kansuensis, P. mira,
P. persica
– ARMENIACA (apricots): P. armeniaca, P. brigantiaca, P. mandshurica,
P. mume, P. sibirica
– PRUNUS (plums and prunes): P. cerasifera, P divaricata, P. domestica,
P. insititia, P. italica, P. spinosa P. syriaca, P. salicina, P. simony,