Diversity of citron (Citrus medica) and phylogenetic analysis of related citron hybrids using molecu

It is commonly accepted that citron (Citrus medica) was the first citrus fruit to reach the Mediterraneanarea about 3 centuries B.C. The fragrance due to the essential oils is probably the main characteristic thathas contributed to the reputation of this fruit in all Mediterranean countries for multiple uses includingcosmetics, food, medicinal, ornamental and also as religious symbol. The Citron group is supposed geneticallylow diversified compared to mandarins and pummelos. To assess the diversity of the citron group weanalyzed the molecular polymorphism of nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic markers and the variation incomposition of essential oils from leaves and peels of 24 varieties of citron or apparent hybrids of citron. Our results demonstrate that the citron group has a relatively high allelic diversity, probably due to multipleintroductions of several varieties. Self-fertilization was the mode of reproduction, which most frequently ledto the development of commercial varieties with specific aromas and flavors such as the cultivar 'Corsican',a putative 'Common Poncire' self-crossed hybrid. However, some varieties appeared to be interspecifichybrids related to citron but only by male parent. This varietal diversity was probably favored by spreadingseeds to extend the cultivation of citron in Mediterranean countries. The chemical diversity does not alwayscorrespond to genetic diversity but nevertheless reveals specific profiles for some genotypes.