Molecular characterization of elite olive cultivars grown in the North region of Saudi Arabia using SCoT, ISSR, and SRAP techniques

In the current study, nine olive cultivars (Olea europaea L.) coined as Dolce, Aggezi, Maraki, Coratina, Koronieki, Picual, Manzanillo, Arbosana, and Arbequina cultivated in Saudi Arabia's Northern region (Al-Jauf) during the 2022 harvest season were identified through molecular genetic analysis. SCoT, ISSR, and SRAP, as well as two isozyme (peroxidase and polyphenol-oxidase) profiles, were used to detect the levels of genetic diversity. The SCoT primers identified a total of 46 amplified bands, while four of these primers induced seven unique markers among the nine cultivars used in this study (41.8% polymorphism). ISSR primers generated 29 amplified bands, including eight unique markers, with a 79.9% polymorphism percentage. SRAP primer combinations exhibited a total of 37 amplified bands. Four of these combinations revealed eight unique cultivar-specific markers with a 58.4% polymorphism. It was discovered that Picual and Koronieki had the highest similarity coefficient, while Manzanillo and Dolce had the lowest. These degrees of variance could result from growing performance, distinct origins, traits, and geographic patterns. The Dolce cultivar in combination with any other studied cultivars and Manzanillo with Maraki would make sense for the hybridization program because of the higher observed distances needed to obtain higher values of important characteristics.