Comparison of selection methods for the establishment of a core collection using SSR markers for hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) accessions from European germplasm repositories

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is one of the most important tree nut crops in Europe. Germplasm accessions are conserved ex situ repositories, located countries where hazelnut production occurs. In this work, we used ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers as basis to establish a core collection representative genetic diversity different European collections. A total 480 were used: 430 from collections and 50 landraces maintained on-farm. SSR analysis identified 181 genotypes, that represented our whole germplasm (WHGC). Four approaches (utilizing MSTRAT, Power Core, Core Hunter’s single- multi-strategy) based on maximization (M) strategy determine best sampling method. multi-strategy, optimizing both allele coverage (Cv) Cavalli-Sforza Edwards (Dce) distance with equal weight, outperformed others was selected approach. The final (Cv-Dce30) comprised 30 entries (16.6% genotypes). It recovered all alleles preserved parameter variations when compared WHGC. Entries six gene pools obtained population structure WHGC, further confirming representativeness Cv-Dce30. Our findings contribute towards improving conservation management resources could be optimize future research by identifying minimum number which focus.