A possible way to predict the genetic relatedness of selected almond cultivars

Abstract  Some multivariate statistical techniques were applied to the fatty acid composition of almond seed for a set of 107 samples of cultivars grown in different environmental conditions. These techniques reveal a close similarity in fatty acid composition among a cultivar and its ancestors as in the case of Ferragnes and Masbovera. Interestingly, the Guara cultivar seems to be very similar to the Tuono cultivar. Another finding suggests that the typical Spanish cultivars Desmayo Largueta and Marcona have a similar fatty acid profile to the American cultivar Non Pareil. Independent of environmental conditions, this shows a possible common parentage in the pedigree of these cultivars.