PONE-D-21-11607

Phenotypic divergence between the cultivated apple (Malus domestica) and its primary wild progenitor (Malus sieversii)

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Myles,

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Mohar Singh, Ph.D. Plant Breeding

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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All suggested changes need to be incorporate

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[This work was supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. ZM was supported by the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program 1546869. ]

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Comments:

The article is well structured and nicely organized. It explores the phenotypic divergence between the cultivated apple and its primary wild progenitor. Authors have shown that the cultivated apple has lower acidity and less phenolic content than the wild one. The study has provided an in-depth coverage for variation in fruit and phenology across both species which may help in improving future apple cultivars.

The article could be accepted for publication if following minor revisions are incorporated:

In discussion part, add a holistic approach including phenomics, genomics and metabolomics, which could be utilized for apple improvement programs.

Correct the grammatical mistakes and sentence making. It will be better if help of some native English speaker could be taken.

References need thorough cross-checking. Please check for journal abbreviations. Provide wherever applicable and avoid unnecessary ones, if not available.

Regards

Reviewer #2: Observations:

Introduction –

The authors have written introduction very nicely with covering the importance of genetic variation with respect to cultivated and wild apple progenitor.

Materials and Methods –

1.This section has been written systematically.

2.Please specify the number of apple accessions evaluated for ten phenotypes. Is the present study involving data from 1119 ABC.

Results

1.The results obtained by the authors are very interesting.

2.Results indicated the correlation of selected trait in different accessions with respect to year to varietal release and phenological stages.

Discussion and Conclusion

The present research is justified with good sources and presented in a well form.

Overall Recommendation – Recommended for publication.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Dr Narender Negi

Scientist, Fruit Science

ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources,

Regional Station, Phagli-Shimla,

Himachal Pradesh, 171 004.

Cell No: +91 9418317335

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: Reviewer Report -.docx

Phenotypic divergence between the cultivated apple (Malus domestica) and its primary wild progenitor (Malus sieversii)

PONE-D-21-11607R1

Dear Sir,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Mohar Singh, Ph.D. Plant Breeding

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: