The polymorphism of ETR1 gene in autochthonous apple cultivars

Ethylene is a plant hormone, which plays an important role in the ripening of climacteric fruits such as the apple. We studied allelic polymorphism of the ETR1 gene, encoding ethylene receptor, in 23 autochthonous apple cultivars. The polymorphism was revealed by combining the gene specific PCR and restriction of PCR product. Four alleles of the ETR1 gene (a, b, c and d) were detected, and their possible association with the fruit storage ability examined.