Abstract

GONZALEZ-HERNANDEZ, Dolores; GARCIA-PEREZ, Eliseo  and  GUNTIN-MAREY, Pablo. Genetic characterization of Manilkara zapota from Veracruz, Mexico, with SSR markers. Agrociencia [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.7, pp.663-675. ISSN 2521-9766.

Manilkara zapota is a fruit belonging to the Sapotaceae, native to Mexico and Central America and is cultivated in tropical countries. The morphological variability of the species has been documented, but its genetic diversity has not been studied with co-dominant molecular markers. The objectives of this study were: 1) to test whether microsatellite loci designed for Manilkara huberi could be used to study genetic variation in M. zapota, 2) to learn about the variation of this species in wild and isolated specimens from commercial plantations, in the state ofVeracruz, Mexico, and 3) to identify the most contrasting individuals that could be used in a long-term management program. We assessed the genetic variation of 20 adult trees from different physiographic regions of the state of Veracruz. The 12 microsatellite loci developed for M. huberi were tested in M. zapota. Two were monomorphic and three did not amplify. The seven remaining loci were used for genetic analysis. The number of alleles was high (mean 11.85); however, the heterozygosity was low (mean 0.154). Cluster analysis formed a group with specimens from the north and the other, with multiple subgroups, from the south and center of the state. The analysis also showed that the biggest change occurred in conservation areas of the state. The microsatellites employed were useful to learn about the genetic variation of M. zapota.

Keywords : Manilkara zapota; Manilkara huberi; tropical tree; genetic resources; molecular markers; microsatellites.