Acta Horticulturae, sa.1399, ss.123-130, 2024 (Scopus)
Citrus is one of the largest fruit crops in the world. As a result of global climate changes, the development of citrus rootstocks and cultivars that can resist abiotic and biotic stress conditions is an important factor. Therefore, genetic resources have great importance. Cyprus is not a native land of citrus fruits; however, the existence of citrus for centuries has shown that the island is rich in citrus gene sources. This diversity was found to be much more than in Turkey via the study of surveys and material collection. The genetic material is rapidly eroded. Rescuing, and identifying the genetic resources presented to researchers and producers is of great importance in terms of world citrus genetic heritage. This research was carried out to identify and characterize citrus genetic resources on the island of Cyprus. The genetic material used in this study covers the whole island of Cyprus (TRNC and Southern Cyprus). This study is very important as it is the first study on citrus genetic resources on the island of Cyprus and the results will be very important international level. In this study, 73 genotypes were collected and determined some important features from the island of Cyprus. Genetic relationship of 73 genotypes collected from the island of Cyprus and 7 sweet oranges (Washington 86, Valencia late, Jaffa, YM4, Şeker, Tuzcu Valencia 2, Valencia Frost 2), 3 mandarins (Hernandina, Klemantine 64 and Klemantine Nour), 4 lemons (Kütdiken, Lamas, Sweet lemon and Cyprus Local), 2 sour oranges (Tuzcu 31-31 and Cyprus local sour orange) were investigated by SSR markers. In addition, a comparison observation plot with 5 replications were established with the genetic material collected in TRNC in the Agricultural Research Center in Güzelyurt to eliminate the effect of environmental variance and detect genetic differences.