Understanding Apples' Ancestors

Researchers study wild Malus orientalis in the Caucasus region.
(Credit: Photo by Phil Forsline)

From Science Daily:

Science Daily (Dec. 14, 2009) — Wild Malus orientalis -- species of wild apples that could be an ancestor of today's domesticated apples -- are native to the Middle East and Central Asia. A new study comparing the diversity of recently acquired M. orientalis varieties from Georgia and Armenia with previously collected varieties originating in Russia and Turkey narrows the large population and establishes a core collection that will make M. orientalis more accessible to the breeding and research communities.

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