Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Some Local and Global Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) Varieties and Types

Abstract

In this study, carried out in University of Cukurova, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, morphological and molecular characterization of 20 persimmon accessions were performed. To determine morphological characterization, plant development stage, growth, and brunch structure, characteristics of leaf, fruit and seed were investigated. Data obtained by morphological characterization were subjected to similarity coefficient, principal components and cluster analyses to demonstrate the overall phenotypic relationships among these genotypes. The first 3 components contained 55.11% of the total multivariate variation. According to a cluster analysis, the similarity index of the population consists of 20 persimmon genotypes ranged between 6.01% and 67.47%. According to molecular characterization by full name (RAPD) markers, high level of genetic polymorphism was determined in persimmons. Although the high polymorphism, close genetic relationships have been determined among some genotypes. According to the RAPD markers, 82% similarity level was identified between ‘Hana Fuyu‘ (Fr) and ‘Hachiya‘ (Fr). Also ‘Fuji‘ variety has shown a similarity of 80% between these genotypes. In addition, ‘Kaki Tipo‘ (Fr), 07 TH 05, TH 01 07 TH 06 and 33 genotypes were clustered in the same group, and similarity level has been determined to be above 65%.