Malus ×oxysepala (M. domestica Borkh. × M. sylvestris Mill.) – a new spontaneous apple hybrid

Abstract

A study of the three Malus species (M. domestica, M. sylvestris, and a hybrid species, M. domestica × M. sylvestris, which was named M. ×oxysepala) was carried out based on the morphological and micromorphological features and molecular investigation. Observations performed for 47 quantitative traits showed that this hybrid species exhibits intermediate values between M. domestica and M. sylvestris, or are similar to traits of one of the parents. Sepals proved to be the best diagnostic feature because they were acuminate and much longer than sepals in M. domestica and M. sylvestris. Seed testa cells are distinct, rimmed with straight anticlinal walls and strongly bulged periclinal walls. Simultaneous genetic analyses based on PCR RAPD reactions fully confirmed earlier morphological observations. Genetic profiles of the hybrid obtained with the use of 30 primers, next to species-specific amplification products, contain common products with each of the parents. However, both the profile analysis and the dendrogram constructed on its basis showed that the hybrid is genetically closer to M. sylvestris.

Keywords

• Malus domestica
• Malus sylvestris
• Malus hybrid
• taxonomy
• SEM
• PCR RAPD
• genetic similarity