Abstract
Blackberry genetic relationships (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) have not been thoroughly studied. The University of Arkansas maintains one of the largest blackberry-breeding programs in the world and thus, in-depth knowledge of the cultivars released from the program and others instrumental in their lineages can aid in breeding endeavors. Pedigrees of 32 cultivars were traced to their founding clones. Genetic contribution (GC), maximum potential similarity (MPS), inbreeding coefficient, and coefficients of relationship (CR) were calculated for all genotypes. Nineteen founding clones contributed to the 32 cultivars, ranging from <1% to ∼19%. The top three founding clones for mean GC conferred nearly 50% to the 32 cultivars in this study, suggesting a somewhat narrow genetic base. Calculations for MPS ranged from complete similarity (1.00) to 0.00. Individual inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.00 to 0.25. The coefficient of relationship was used as a method of determining genetic relatedness and ranged from 0.00 to 0.74. University of Arkansas cultivars had the highest MPS and CR in the study. This may be attributed to more generations of hybridization than the other cultivars. The MPS provided some comparable results to those of RFLP and RAPD molecular studies, but CR did not. The rather narrow genetic base of eastern North American blackberry cultivars does not create an imminent, significant concern for loss of diversity. However, more diverse germplasm should be infused for continuation of heterogeneity.
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Stafne, E., Clark, J. Genetic relatedness among eastern North American blackberry cultivars based on pedigree analysis. Euphytica 139, 95–104 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-004-2436-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-004-2436-4