December 2023
Discovery and Potential of SNP Markers in Characterization of Tunisian Olive Germplasm
Imen Rekik Hakim,Naziha Grati Kammoun,Emna Makhloufi andAhmed Rebaï
1Institut de l’Olivier, P.O. Box 1087, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia
2Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Single Nucelotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) have become the most widely used markers in many current genetic applications. Here we report the discovery of nine new SNPs in olives by direct partial sequencing of two genes (OEX and OEW) in sixteen Tunisian cultivars. The SNP markers were then used to genotype 24 olive cultivars and assess the level of genetic diversity. Power of discrimination of SNP markers was then compared to that of microsatellites (SSRs). A combination of SSR and SNP markers was finally proposed that can be used for cultivars identification in juvenile step or for oil traceability.
Keywords: cultivar genotyping; genetic diversity; Olea europaea L.; SNP markers