Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution最新文献

Investigating the distribution modeling of Spondias tuberosa, as well as its phenotypic diversity, is critical for species conservation and tree improvement initiatives. This species holds great importance in bioeconomy, yet there is limited knowledge to address its production. Utilizing predictive distribution modeling, we can identify areas in Sergipe with a high likelihood of the natural occurrence of S. tuberosa, which is crucial for targeted conservation efforts. Comprehensive phenotypic characterization was conducted on a natural population, selecting individuals and examining traits ranging from tree architecture to fruit biometry, and including information on seed conservation under storage conditions. The findings revealed substantial variance in germination rates and seedling vigor related to the duration of endocarp storage, although no significant differences were observed in overall germination success across different storage times. However, prolonged storage resulted in an increase in abnormal seedlings and deteriorated seeds. The integration of phenotypic data and predictive modeling provides a robust framework for understanding ecological dynamics and supports sustainable management practices for S. tuberosa, aligning with bioeconomic goals. This research underscores the importance of maintaining phenotypic variability within populations, which is vital for the adaptive capacity of species to changing environmental conditions and for enhancing local bioeconomies.

European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), commonly referred to as sweet chestnut, is one of the four cultivated members of the Eucastanon section of the Castanea genus and the tree is valuable for both nut and timber production. C. sativa nuts are recognized as the highest quality chestnuts. C. sativa has significant economic importance in Europe and has spread by human activity to all geographical regions that are within the species’ ecological limits. The present work describes a C. sativa genome assembly of the cultivar Sarı Aşılama, which is the most widely cultivated chestnut in Anatolia. The assembly represents 83.4% of the chestnut genome with a gene completeness estimate of 90.2%. The repetitive DNA content of the assembly was identified as 47% and was predominated by LTR (long terminal repeat) retrotransposons. 20,161 annotated protein coding gene models were identified in the assembly and genome-based miRNA (micro RNA) identification analysis with a machine-learned classifier proved successful in identifying 1489 putative loci. Protein coding gene models were scanned for microsatellites for the development of genic markers and cross-species transferability was assessed, resulting in 1600 consensus genic markers for the European and Asian chestnut genomes. The markers tested on a collection of chestnut genotypes proved successful in discriminating C. sativa cultivars and hybrids. The European chestnut genome assembly and, data from genome characterization and marker development analyses are anticipated to make a useful and significant contribution to genomic research in the Castanea genus.

Lignin plays a crucial role in the production of phenolic compounds in tobacco smoke that have potential health effects associated with tobacco use. A meta-analysis of RNA-seq research and analysis of Nicotiana tabacumrevealed distinctive expression patterns of the lignin biosynthetic network. Through a meta-analysis of RNA-seq data on Nicotiana tabacum under drought stress, we identified 67 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with lignin biosynthesis. Notably, 17 of these DEGs were detected only through meta-analysis, and not in individual investigations. WGCNA showed 14 clusters for the meta-genes. Several TF families and regulatory factors were identified as the most likely candidate genes related to the lignin metabolic pathway. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of eight major meta-genes in two tobacco genotypes with contrasting lignin content (NC100 – high lignin content; Burley, low lignin content) under PEG-induced drought stress showed genotype-specific responses. CAD2 and ATH12 were upregulated in NC100, while CAD2 and CCR were upregulated in Burly. Interestingly, despite overall lignin accumulation, expression levels of CCoAOMT, F5H, COMT, and ODO1 were reduced in both genotypes.Our findings highlight the complex regulation of lignin biosynthesis under drought stress and the importance of genotype-specific responses. This study demonstrates the power of meta-analysis in identifying DEGs not detected in individual investigations, enhancing our understanding of lignin metabolism in tobacco under drought conditions. The observed genotype-specific differences underscore the need for tailored approaches in studying lignin biosynthesis in various tobaccocultivars under stress.

The micromorphological characteristics of the leaf surface of F₁–F₄ hybrids derived from crosses (stable form × Trititrigia cziczinii × ‘Botanicheskaya 3’) on Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is demonstrated that the leaf structure of F₁ plants contains micromorphological markers common to both parental forms and traits peculiar to one of the parents. Among those specific to the paternal form (E. farctus) are the Ω-shaped anticlinal walls of long epidermal cells, rounded silica cells, shield-shaped prickle hairs with a shortened barb on both leaf surfaces, and apically directed prickles on the adaxial costal zone. The presence of trichomes in the intercostal zone of the leaf adaxial side and macrohairs on the veins is likely to have been inherited from the maternal form and may be traced back to cultivar ‘Botanicheskaya 3’ and E. intermedia. The average cell width of cell rows in hybrids corresponded to the values of wild species E. farctus. Moreover, the hybrids exhibited smaller and more frequent stomata than both parental forms, as well as E. farctus. Concurrently, while the characteristics of the wild species E. farctus were dominant in the initial generation, those of the cultivated form (× Trititrigia × ‘Botanicheskaya 3’) were evident in the fourth generation. This was evidenced by the emergence of silica cells analogous to those observed in the maternal form, as well as the appearance of hybrid samples that exhibited spikelet shape, stomatal frequency, and cell row width characteristics similar to those of the cultivated maternal plant. These changes are likely the result of the loss of genetic material from the wild paternal species, E. farctus.

DMP, a plant-specific membrane protein, plays a role in plant reproductive development and senescence processes. However, there is a lack of reported research on the distribution and function of the DMP gene family in sugar beet. In this study, bioinformatics methods were utilized to identify nine BvDMP family genes that were found on four chromosomes of the genome. The physicochemical properties, phylogeny, subcellular localization, gene structure, promoter regions, and replication events of these nine family genes were analyzed. RT‒qPCR was utilized to analyze the expression patterns of the nine genes within the DMP family across different tissues of sugar beet, as well as their responses to various abiotic stresses. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the BvDMP clusters could be categorized into six branches. BvDMPs were found to contain diverse cis-acting elements that play a role in plant responses to abiotic stresses and various phytohormones. Furthermore, expression analysis highlighted BvDMP9 as the most highly upregulated gene in reproductive organs among all members of the sugar beet DMP gene family. This finding suggests the potential involvement of BvDMP9 in the reproductive processes of sugar beet, there by providing a basis for further exploration of the functions and mechanisms of this gene family.

The genus Solanum encompasses economically significant crops, including tomato, potato and eggplant. Descending the taxonomic hierarchy from family to genus, species, subspecies, and variety is associated with a decrease in genetic diversity and an increase in homozygosity. Likewise, prolonged selection of plants favouring yield traits over many generations has narrowed the genetic variation within cultivars; this renders these cultivars susceptible to the impact of climate change and evolving pest and disease pressure. Harnessing the genetic variability present in crop wild relatives within the genus Solanum, focusing on important traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield enhancement, and nutritional quality can address the problem of food and nutritional security. Despite the promising traits in wild species, several barriers exist to incorporate traits from wild species to cultivars. This review discusses commercially important identified traits from the wild relatives of potato, tomato and eggplant, barriers in hybridization and method to overcome these barriers. Exploitation of the important traits from wild relatives holds substantial potential to address current and future challenges in Solanum crop improvement, ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability in a changing global environment.

Environmental heterogeneity and genetic variation may be reflected in the within-species variation of different fruit traits. These traits related variations are important for guiding the process of adapting wild plants for human use through domestication. Saba senegalensis (A.DC.) Pichon is a multi-purpose woody liana found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It has high nutritional and economic values. Yet, limited research has been undertaken to understand the role of genetic status and the environment on the intraspecific variation in S. senegalensis individuals.

This study investigated the variations in fruit and seed traits of S. senegalensis along a climatic gradient in Burkina Faso, sub-Sahara Africa. A total of 900 mature fruits were collected from 180 randomly selected parent trees from six sites along a climatic gradient in the Sudanian and Sudano-sahelian zones. We measured seven fruit traits(length, width, weight, pericarp thickness, number of seeds per fruit, pulp weight, and sugar rate) and three seed traits(length, width, and weight).The data collected was used to calculate broad-sense heritability and we also performed a Random Forest analysis to detect the most influential environmental variables in fruit and seed traits variability. The variation in fruit and seed traits was mainly determined by genetic factors, but all traits were also influenced by environmental factors such as climatic variables. The pulpiest fruit came from the both zones. However, the sweetest fruits originated from the Sudano-sahelian zone. The findings of this study may have practical implications for S. senegalensis management and improvement strategies in Burkina Faso.

The semiarid region of Brazil is marked by scarce rainfall and high temperatures. The Caatinga biome, established in this region, has great diversity of plants with economic potential and applications, such as in herbal medicine. Plant representatives include those of the family Lamiaceae, which has 240 genera and 7200 species. The essential oil of the species Medusantha martiusii, popularly known as “alfazemas de caboclo”, has often been found to have biological activities, such as cytotoxic, antimicrobial and insecticidal effects, thus making this species economically important. The objective of this study was to characterize the climatic, geographical and edaphic aspects of sites where M. martiussi naturally occurs in the state of Bahia in order to understand the possible relationships and interactions between the environment and plant growth, development and production of essential oils. Vector files with climate, geomorphology, phytophysiognomy, and soil data were examined and the data were systematized and analyzed. The species occurs in semiarid areas with nutrient-poor, acidic and well-drained soils. The species has broad range of thermal adaptation, occurring from mountainous regions with high relief to low altitudes and in climatic zones characterized by scant and poorly distributed rainfall. The essential oil content showed a quantitative variation across the surveyed sites, with an average of 2.07% by dry weight of leaves and flowers, and a moderate and significant interaction of the essential oil with Fe and Zn concentrations present in the soil were also observed.

Seed priming is economically feasible technique, which can improve the issues of nutrient deficiency. Different concentration of copper sulphate (0.25 mM and 0.50 mM) was used as a priming media for barley seeds along with distilled water for comparison. The results showed that the measured attributes were variably affected by different levels of CuSO_4, specifically, when applied at the rate 0.50 mM, where, germination percentage was reduced while germination index and mean germination time enhanced. The studied barley accessions depicted 68 hordein subunits representing highly polymorphic polypeptides. It consisted of 17 rare types with molecular weight ranging from 32 to 129 KDa. These observed hordeins were categorized into three major groups such as hordein B, C and D, whereas, the late two were further subdivided into α and β groups. Alleles for the observed hordein subunits were found located at three different loci including Hor-1, Hor-2 and Hor-3 each having 25, 24 and 19 alleles, respectively). Regarding simple sequence repeat (SSR) diversity, the highest polymorphic information content of 0.375 was observed for Bmag0125 and Bmag0013, followed by Bmag0613 (0.3710) and Bmag0369 (0.365) whereas, the lowest PIC value (0. 252) was observed for Bmag0720. Number of alleles for the studied SSR molecular markers varied from 4 (Bmag 0490, Bmag 0613) to 7 (Bmag 0770). The SSR markers viz. Bmag0770, Bmag0720 and Bmag0500 exhibited the highest genetic diversity (GD > 0.75) in the studied barley accessions. This study demonstrates that the provide genetic information may be used in the marker-assisted selection for breeding programs and improvement of germplasm.

The analysis of phenotypic variation patterns is pivotal in breeding programs when developing new cultivars to fully exploit allelic richness for specific purposes. In this study, we assessed 182 genotypes of elephant grass from partially inbred families, focusing on six phenotypic traits (dry matter yield—DMY, dry matter percentage—DM, number of tillers—NT, plant height—PH, stem diameter—SD, and leaf blade width—LW). Our goal was to quantify the genetic diversity necessary for the management of elephant grass breeding for energy production. Both univariate analysis (descriptive statistics) and multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components) were employed to investigate the diversity across partially inbred S₁ family genotypes of elephant grass. Significant phenotypic variation was observed between the evaluated traits, with DMY, NT, and LW exhibiting the most pronounced differences. DMY, PH, and NT displayed positive correlations and demonstrated a robust ability to distinguish between the genotypes. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups of genotypes. The identification of taller plants with a higher number of tillers offers a valuable means of discriminating superior genotypes. This, in turn, enhances the selection of partial lines to develop new hybrid elephant grass cultivars with the aim of increasing energy biomass production.