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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Molecular screening of various apple genotypes against woolly apple aphid

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.16057
Submitted
13 June 2026
Published
10-09-2026 — Updated on 30-09-2026
Versions

Abstract

The study evaluated 15 apple genotypes (Mitch Gala, Red Jonaprince, King Fuji, Golden Delicious Reinders, Gala Redlum, Fuji Zehn Aztec, Pinova, Red Braeburn, Devil Gala, Red Chief, Elstar, Crab apple, M-7, M-9 T337 and MM-106) for resistance to woolly apple aphid (WAA). Field samples were collected from experimental orchards at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Molecular marker analysis was conducted at the transcriptomics K-Lab, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The WAA is a serious pest that causing significant yield and quality losses in apple orchards. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of molecular markers associated with WAA resistance genes (Er1, Er2 and Er3) in 15 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) genotypes. The results indicated that several apple cultivars exhibited differential responses to WAA infestation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen apple cultivars for 8 molecular markers (NZsc_C20, NZsc_GS327, NZsc_O05, NZms_EB145764, NZsn_O05, NZms_EB106753, NZsc_E01, NZsc_A01) associated with the main WAA resistance genes (Er1, Er2 and Er3). The NZms_EB145764 marker is connected to the Er2 resistance gene and detected in the 12 cultivars: Mitch Gala, Red Jonaprince, King Fuji, Golden Delicious Reinders, Gala Redlum, Fuji Zehn Aztec, Pinova, Red Braeburn, Devil Gala, Elstar, Crab apple and M-9 T337. The NZsc_O05 marker is connected to the Er1 resistance gene and is found in the following cultivars: Mitch Gala, Golden Delicious Reinders, fuji Zehn Aztec, Pinova, Red Braeburn, Devil Gala, Red Chief, Elstar, Crab apple, M-7 and M-9 T337. The NZsc_A01 marker is connected to the Er3 resistance gene and is found in the 11 cultivars: Mitch Gala, Red Jonaprince, King Fuji, Golden Delicious Reinders, Gala Redlum, Pinova, Red Braeburn, Devil Gala, Red Chief, Elstar and Crab apple. The NZsn_O05 marker is connected to the Er1/Er3 resistance gene and is found in only one cultivar: Crab apple.

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