Characterization of Cherimoya Germplasm by Isozyme Markers

Isozymes have been used as genetic markers to characterize more than 200 cherimoya and atemoya ( A. cherimola× A. squamosa) accessions from the worldwide collection of cherimoya ( Annona cherimolaMill) germplasm at the C.S.I.C. Estación Experimental "La Mayora" (Spain). These accessions have been incorporated into this collection from both the original species range (Peru and Ecuador) and the main producing regions (Bolivia, California, Chile, Israel, Madeira, Spain). We studied 13 enzyme systems encoded by 23 loci. Fifteen loci displayed polymorphism. The allozymes identified allowed us to genotype the cultivars, to differentiate 95% of them, and to address the possible origins of those cultivars with identical isozyme profiles. The atemoya and cherimoya cultivars showed clear isozyme differences based on alleles specific to atemoya.