Mapping Architectural, Phenological, and Fruit Quality QTLs in Apricot

The F1 population “Harostar” × “Rouge de Mauves” was used to perform a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for tree architecture traits (i.e., tree diameter, total branch number, tree shape); time to initial reproductive bud break; and fruit quality traits (i.e., ground color, fruit form, soluble solid content) using data collected from 2010 to 2012. For architectural traits, interval mapping detected QTLs only in “Rouge de Mauves” on linkage group 1 for trunk diameter in 2010, on LG6 for total branch number in 2010, and on LG1 and LG5 for tree shape for both years 2010 and 2011 combined. QTLs were detected only in “Harostar” for time to initial reproductive bud break on LG1 and LG4 in 2011. For fruit quality traits, data were collected in 2011 and 2012. QTLs were identified on LG1 in 2011 and on LG4 in 2012 for soluble solid content, on LG3 for ground color in both years, on LG7 only in 2011, and on LG3 for fruit form in both years. The QTLs that we identified were compared to those previously identified in other Prunus spp.