Assessment of olive variability in Latium (central Italy) through SNPs, SSRs and morphological traits

Cultivars of Olea europea L., grown in Latium region (central Italy), have been characterized by means of molecular markers as microsatellites and SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) and morphological features. New SNP markers were identified in key genes encoding environmental receptors (phytochrome A), enzymes involved in the synthesis of metabolites influencing the olive oil quality (lupeol synthase and cycloartenol synthase) and cellular function (glycosyltransferase). Two in-del mutations and 38 SNPs were identified, consisting of 22 transversions and 16 transitions; most mutations were silent or had slight detectable effect on the encoded polypeptide. Genotyping data obtained by microsatellite and SNP markers were evaluated constructing a dendrogram by UPGMA cluster analysis. Molecular relationships among cultivars were discussed in relation to the morphological features. The markers developed in this research could be useful for resolving cultivar identity, for providing loci for map construction, association studies and markers assisted selection breeding.