Traditionally, fruit varieties are identified based on visible characteristics such as shape, color, or taste. However, these phenotypic traits alone are often insufficient for precise identification. This is where genetic fingerprinting comes in: it enables accurate variety identification by comparing genetic data with reference databases.
A key advantage of this molecular genetic method is its flexibility. The analysis can be performed regardless of the season or the plant's growth stage. Even small amounts of plant material such as leaves, bark, or roots (excluding seeds and flowers) are sufficient for the examination.
In Switzerland, the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) has established or is in the process of building reference databases for various fruit types. To ensure compatibility with these databases, all analyses must follow the same method — using microsatellite marker sets.
Ecogenics employs this standardized procedure and aligns its approach with the FOAG guidelines. This ensures reliable and consistent genetic data analysis for the clear identification of fruit varieties.
Our variety identification service supports two possible scenarios:
Direct Comparison: Two samples are compared, with one sample serving as a reference variety based on previous genetic and/or phenotypic descriptions.
Database Comparison: The unknown genetic fingerprint of a sample is compared with a reference database for identification.
Variety Identification for Small Sample Quantities Twice a year, we offer variety identification for smaller sample batches (1–39 samples per fruit type). The deadlines for these analysis rounds are June 15 and September 15. To ensure your samples are included in the respective round, they must arrive at our facility before the deadline. Late submissions will be stored and processed in the following analysis round.
Sample Material and Fruit Types We accept leaves only as sample material for analysis. Our variety identification service is available for the following fruit types:
Apple
Pear
Cherry
Apricot/Nectarine/Peach
Plum/Prune
Quince
For more information on the marker systems used, visit our Marker Systems page. Details on reference lists can be found under Databases.
Analysis and Results We generate a genetic fingerprint for each sample and compare it with the relevant database. You will receive the genetic data along with information on potential matches. Results are delivered within 2 to 3 months after the respective deadline.
Contact Would you like to learn more about our variety identification service or the ordering process? Please fill out our contact form.
Marker Systems
Available Marker Systems for:
Appel
PCR
DB Pos
Marker Name
Alleles of gene group “485”, MUNQ “448”, variety “Delicious
A1
01
CH01H01
107/109
02
CH04C07*
132/132
03
CH01H10
115/115
A2
04
CH05F06
181/181
05
CH01F03b
207/207
06
GD147*
121/121
07
CH02b10*
120/130
08
CH05c06*
87/91
09
EMPc117*
113/117
10
GD96*
173/173
11
EMPc11*
143/149
12
GD142*
164/164
13
CH01d09*
133/147
14
CH01d08*
240/282
15
CH03g07*
240/240
16
CH01f07a*
183/189
The analyses for all apple markers are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the 'Fruit Network' of the 'European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR)' (https://www.ecpgr.org/).
Pear
PCR
DB Pos
Marker Name
Alleles of the gene group “861”, PUNQ “134”, variety “Frühe aus Trevoux”
A1
01
CH01H01
107/109
02
CH04C07*
132/132
03
CH01H10
115/115
A2
04
CH05F06
181/181
05
CH01F03b
207/207
06
GD147*
121/121
P1
07
CH02b10*
120/130
08
CH05c06*
87/91
09
EMPc117*
113/117
P2
10
GD96*
173/173
11
EMPc11*
143/149
12
GD142*
164/164
13
CH01d09*
133/147
P3
14
CH01d08*
240/282
15
CH03g07*
240/240
16
CH01f07a*
183/189
* The analyses for all pear markers are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the 'Fruit Network' of the 'European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR)' (https://www.ecpgr.org/).
Cherry
PCR
DB Pos
Marker Name
Alleles of gene group “105”, CHUNQ “45”, variety “Hudson"
C5
01
EMPaS12
144/153
02
UDP98-412
129/129
03
EMPaS10
162/171
04
EMPaS02
146/151
C6
05
CPPCT006
190/192
06
BPPCT037
147/153
07
PceGA34
162/166
C7
08
EMPaS14
206/208
09
CPPCT022
253/253
10
EMPaS06
210/212
Apricot, Nectarine/Peach
PCR
DB Pos
Marker Name
Alleles of gene group “1001”, variety Apricot “Orangered"
Alleles of the gene group “P8”, peach variety “RedHaven”
*The genetic data collected as part of your variety testing is used by the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW) to further develop and maintain the databases. However, all data is fully anonymized, ensuring that no personal data is published.
Reference Lists
Apple
Entries: > 1600 gene groups
Data Source: BLW, DGO
Comment: Samples analyzed through our variety testing service are compatible with the published DGO database. Color mutants cannot be differentiated.
Status: 01.01.2025
Pear
Entries: > 700 gene groups
Data Source: BLW, DGO
Comment: Samples analyzed through our variety testing service are compatible with part of the published DGO database (12 out of 16 markers). Samples analyzed from 2025 onward are not compatible with analyses conducted before 2025. If you wish to have your samples analyzed exclusively with the DGO marker set or match older data sets, please contact us via the Contact Form Offer.
Status: 01.01.2025
Cherry
Entries: > 480 gene groups
Data Source: BLW, DGO
Comment: The sweet cherry marker data from the DGO database has been adjusted to align with the marker data from the BLW database and combined. Samples analyzed through our variety testing service are not compatible with the published DGO database for sweet cherries. If you wish to have your samples analyzed exclusively according to the DGO system, please contact us via the Contact Form Offer.
Status: 01.01.2025
Apricot, Nectarine/Peach
Entries: > 70 gene groups
Data Source: BLW
Comment: Combined marker systems for apricot, nectarine/peach. The database was built using marker systems specific to apricot and nectarine/peach. Therefore, some data points may be missing.
Status: 01.01.2025
Plum/Prune
Entries: > 300 gene groups
Data Source: BLW
Comment: As plum/prune is a polyploid fruit type, data analysis can be challenging, potentially resulting in ambiguous data matches.
Status: 01.01.2025
Quince
Entries: > 20 gene groups
Data Source: BLW
Comment: In some cases, the marker system used may not provide sufficient precision to clearly differentiate between varieties.