MOLECULAR MARKERS USAGES IN CULTIVATED FRUIT TREES FROM ROSACEAE FAMILY.

Most fruit tree species cultivated in Romania, such as apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, cherry, as well as some berry species such as blackberry, raspberry and strawberry belong to the Rosaceae family. As most of these species are woody perennials, the traditional methods of creating new varieties are taking much longer time than in the case of annual species. New methods and tools based on the recent discoveries in molecular genetics are being developed in order to shorten the time needed to create new commercial varieties. Molecular markers, specific DNA regions linked to genes responsible for various traits (color, shape, taste, resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, etc.) are some of the tools used in genotype-assisted breeding programs. This review sums up the main results of studies on molecular markers regarding cultivated fruit tree species of Rosaceae family with commercial importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]