Switzerland has a rich pool of fruit genetic resources as it is located in the centre of Europe where it could benefit from the intensive exchange of goods within the continent. The rich heritage of traditional fruit varieties in Malus domestica, Pyrus communis, Prunus avium and Prunus domestica was analysed with molecular markers during the last 8 years. The total genetic diversity was investigated for the accessions conserved in the National Network of Swiss Fruit Genetic Resources Collections using microsatellite markers. The obtained data set was used to detect genetic similarities between individual accessions thereby identifying duplicates within the collections. Additionally, inferences about genetic structure, relationships between genetic diversity and original geographical sampling locations and correlations between phenotypic traits and genotype were performed. The results obtained will contribute the efficient and economically feasible conservation of fruit genetic resources within Switzerland.
