Genetic and Molecular Determinants of Climate Change-Influenced Traits in Apricot and Sweet Cherry

This research explores how rising temperatures associated with climate change affect the flowering phenology of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca). By decomposing bloom dates into chilling and heat requirements and quantifying floral necrosis and abnormalities, the team conducted QTL mapping across linkage groups (LG) 1, 4, and 6. They detected stable QTL for flowering time in both species and species-specific QTL for quality traits in apricot. Candidate genes influencing phenology were identified and phenological models were optimized for apricot and are under development for sweet cherry. The resulting QTL and gene data are being implemented in marker-assisted selection programs aimed at breeding climate-adapted fruit tree ideotypes.