Variability of fruit morphological traits of natural Prunus armeniaca cenopopulations along an altitudinal gradient (Dagestan)

The paper presents the results of the study of variability of fruit and stone morphological traits of natural apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) populations along the altitudinal gradient. Three model cenopopulations of Inner-mountain Dagestan along the Avarskoe Koysu river basin, which differ most strongly along the altitudinal gradient (600–1420 m a.s.l.), were chosen as reference points. Comparative analysis of P. armeniaca cenopopopulations in Dagestan conditions showed that wild apricot in general is characterised by small fruit and stone sizes, the average geometric diameter of fruit and stone was 25.4 mm and 14.0 mm, respectively, and the weight averaged 10.6 g and 1,3 g, with the highest values for most traits at 1050 m altitude and the lowest at 1420 m altitude. Analysis of variability (CV, %) of quantitative traits showed that variability of traits decreases along the altitudinal gradient, which may indicate the formation of adaptive shape and size of fruit and stone with increasing altitude. The results of the study were confirmed by the results of onefactor variance, regression and discriminant analyses. The highest dependence on the altitude factor in terms of variance components was found for the following traits: stone width (η² =32,5%), fruit reproductive effort (31,7%) and average stone diameter (30,4%). Regression analysis revealed that the altitude level negatively affects the fruit size of natural P. armeniaca cenopopulations, leading to a gradual decrease in fruit width and thickness, which eventually leads to the formation of oval fruits. Correlation coefficients showed a noticeable significant negative relationship of mean fruit diameter (r_xy= -0,36) and fruit weight (r_xy= -0,34) with altitude. Meanwhile, stone and seed thickness related dimensions conversely increased with altitude, ultimately leading to an increase in fruit reproductive effort (r_xy=0,55). The results of the discriminant analysis clearly showed that along the first axis, differences between CPs in fruit size along the altitudinal gradient were reflected, and along the second axis, the change in apricot optimum to the peripheries was reflected, which is consistent with the assessment of the vitality of the cenopopopulations. The index of vitality of cenopopulations (IVC) showed that the maximum productivity of cenopopulations occurs at altitudes of 800–1200 m, with a low value of dimensional plasticity (ISP=1,12) indicating relative stability of fruit, stone and seed sizes along the altitudinal gradient. 

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