SSR and cpDNA marker dataset genetic integrity of M.sylvestris in Saxony, Germany

Malus sylvestris (Mill.) is the only indigenous wild apple species in Central Europe. Agriculture, forestry and urbanization increasingly endanger Malus sylvestris natural habitats. In addition, the risks of cross-hybridization associated with increase in the cultivation of the domesticated apple Malus ×domestica (Borkh.), threatens the genetic integrity of M. sylvestris.

The present study investigated the number of hybrids, genetic diversity and genetic structure of 292 putative M. sylvestris that originate from five different natural M. sylvestris populations in Saxony, Germany. All samples were genetically analyzed using nine nuclear microsatellite markers (ncSSR) and four maternally inherited chloroplast markers (cpDNA) along with 56 apple cultivars commonly cultivated in Saxony.

Eighty-seven percent of the wild apple accessions were identified as pure M. sylvestris. The cpDNA analysis showed six private haplotypes for M. sylvestris, whereas three haplotypes were present in M....