Leaf samples of 226 cultivated olive trees were collected from traditionally managed olive orchards and genotyped with eleven consensual SSR markers. The proportion of shared allele distance was used ...for the estimation of distances between olive genotypes. Cluster analyses were performed using a Fitch–Margoliash least-squares algorithm. The number of different genetic subgroups of olive genotypes (K) was investigated using STRUCTURE analysis. The standardization of allele lengths was performed to enable the comparison SSR profiles of Croatian olive genotypes with olive profiles obtained with the same SSR primers in OleaDB and WOGB databases. Overall, 73 SSR profiles of known Croatian varieties and 53 profiles of unknown olive genotypes were differentiated. Synonyms were detected in 18 varieties, and we found intra-varietal differences in 15 varieties. Three genetic subgroups of olive genotypes were determined. Following allele length standardization achieved using nine referral samples, the genetic profiles of 126 cultivated olive genotypes were compared to OleaDB and WOGB databases, out of which 92 genotypes were found to be unique to Croatian olive germplasm. The results revealed the wide genetic diversity of olive germplasm beyond the known, registered varieties. The FAZ_oliveDB database containing the profiles of 126 Croatian olive genotypes was created and made available for public use.
The selection of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations adapted to extreme environmental conditions is of great importance due to continuing climate change. The plant material analyzed with ...simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers included two parent populations, P1 (cultivar ‘Reichersberger’) and P3 (cultivar ‘Croatia’) and their reselections, which were created after one cycle of selection under cold temperature conditions. The reselections PS1 and PS3 were produced by intercrossing 38 surviving plants of parent populations P1 and P3, respectively. A total of 48 plants from each cultivar and each reselection were randomly selected for SSR analysis. Sixteen SSR primer pairs were selected, taking into account the presence of loci on all seven pairs of red clover chromosomes. An increase in the average frequency of alleles from the initial populations to the populations after one cycle of selection was observed, followed by a decrease in the number of alleles. Out of a total of 16 loci, the Waples neutrality test revealed significant frequency changes at 12 loci from P1 to PS1 and 9 loci from P3 to PS3 populations. The genetic diversity in the studied populations did not change significantly after selection, leaving enough genetic variability as a prerequisite for the success of future selection.
Epigenetics in plant breeding Rajnović, Tihana; Vokurka, Aleš; Bolarić, Snježana
Journal of Central European agriculture,
01/2020, Volume:
21, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Current farming technology and advanced techniques of plant breeding are tending to enable high yields and cropping intensity, trying to alleviate the limitations of available arable land. However, ...rise in global population and climate changes could strain the ability to provide a stable food supply. Genetic diversity, which might be used for development of new, more resilient cultivars, could be a key for achieving better performance in agricultural production. New findings about how genes work and express, including the principles of epigenetics, could allow the advancements in breeding methods, and provide a new source of variability originating from epialleles. This paper provides a synopsis of the most significant epigenetic modifications, and particularities of plant species that impact epigenetic mechanisms, although it is mainly focused on application of epigenetics on plant breeding. Epigenetic aspects of breeding are described for increased yield in Brassica napus due to recursive selection for an epigenetic compound. Future application might be based on epigenetic recombinant inbred lines, similar to those in Arabidopsis thaliana, inhibition of DNA methylation in Oryza sativa, discovery of MSH1 system in Glycine max and Solanum lycopersicon. It also outlines the current issues and limitations of epigenetic breeding such as a lack of understanding of epigenetic mechanisms, interaction of epigenetic and stress responsive mechanisms, and the development of statistical models able to predict the impact and outcome of epigenetic modifications.
The present study was conducted to establish a protocol for the regeneration of virus-free garlic plants through somatic embryogenesis of two Croatian garlic ecotypes. Basal parts of cloves from ...mother plants were cultured on a full Murashige and Skoog (MS) or modified MS medium (¼ of KNO3 and NH4NO3 and 2xMgSO4) containing 0.1 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 1 mg L−1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg L−1 kinetin (Kin) and representing four different treatments. Plants were regenerated in MS medium containing 0.1 mg L−1 2,4-D and rooted in a medium containing 0.05 mg L−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 0.005 mg L−1 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP). The presence of viruses (i.e., sanitary status) of the mother plants and regenerants was checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mother plants were infected with onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV). In addition, the presence of garlic common latent virus (GCLV) was confirmed in four mother plants. Embryogenic callus developed in all four treatments with success ranging from 55% to 81% depending on treatment and ecotype. Plant conversion was significantly higher in somatic embryos developed in media containing 0.1 mg L−1 2,4-D than those developed in media containing 1 mg L−1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg L−1 Kin. Virus elimination success ranged from 13.3% up to 62.5% depending on garlic ecotype and treatment. The overall rate of virus elimination by somatic embryogenesis for both treatments and ecotypes were 20.7%, 22.9%, and 30.5% for OYDV, GCLV, and LYSV, respectively. Based on these results, somatic embryogenesis has been shown to be equally or more successful in eliminating garlic viruses compared to other in vitro methods.
Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlecht. (wild strawberry) is widely distributed in Southwest China, characterized by stress tolerance and the fruits of a notable peach aroma. So far there is only limited ...knowledge of variability and genetic structure in this species. Using AFLP markers, we investigated the genetic variability of 37 plants of F. nilgerrensis sampled in six main mountain areas of Sichuan Province and analyzed their genetic structure. Genetic similarity according to Nei and Li was used for cluster analysis based on UPGMA method and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering. Stratification of plants into more distinctive genetic groups was determined using Bayesian structure analysis. Six primer combinations produced a total of 1302 fragments of which 818 (62.8%) were polymorphic. Bayesian analysis showed the 37 plants of F. nilgerrensis grouped into five distinctive genetic groups. Most of the plants from the same mountain area clustered into the same genetic group, indicating each area as an area with the unique genetic profile. The genetic parameters analyzed here indicate a huge genetic variability of F. nilgerrensis in Sichuan Province. Our results provide reference data for surveying and protecting the germplasm resources of F. nilgerrensis that could be used in strawberry breeding programs.
Red clover, although primarily used for dairy cow feeding, can also repair soil structure, fix atmospheric nitrogen and prevent soil erosion. Until recently, the traditional cultivation of red clover ...in Croatia prevailed in suitable habitats. Abandoning of agricultural production is the reason of meadows succession process which can cause genetic erosion and threatens the survival of local population of red clover. Determining of sites according to their ecogeographical characteristics could help to improve the direction of action aimed at conservation of biological diversity of species in its natural habitats as well as the preservation of genetic resources and their use in breeding purposes. The aim of this research was to classify the sites of natural habitats of red clover local populations (under extensive agricultural production) in north-western part of Croatia on the basis of their ecogeographical characteristics. Data of geographical, pedological and climatological characteristics and floristic composition were collected at 18 sites and subjected to multivariate analysis. The main differences among sites were detected in geographical, pedological and climatological characteristics. Floristic structure of investigated sites were consisting of 151 plant species, including a large number of species of ruderal vegetation.
Plant breeding as an important discipline in agriculture started in Croatia during the last decades of XIX century at several institutions and farms, but was mainly focused on arable grains, but to ...less extent to fodder, and other crops. The efforts in the research, collecting and evaluation of genetic resources of fodder crops started in the second half of XX century, but were interrupted and ceased by the war in 1990-ies, with a part of material being lost. The activities started almost from scratch by establishing the Croatian Gene Bank in early 1990ties that existed only for few years. A new National Plant Gene Bank was established in 2004 as a network working in synergy with the SEEDNet programme, and was directed by National Plant Genetic Resources Programme based on the valid international treaties on biodiversity, and conducted according to good practice in genetic resources maintenance and research, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and EU funds. The paper presents the short outline of the research of the genetic resources of fodder crops.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate efficiency of callogenesis and regeneration by somatic embryogenesis of the subendemic Iris species Iris illyrica from Croatia and to select highly ...regenerative donor plants/genotypes. Leaf base segments were used as explants. Callogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were induced on MS media supplemented with: (1) 4.52 micromole 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) + 4.83 micromole 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 0.46 micromole kinetin (Kin); (2) 4.52 micromole 2,4-D + 4.6 micromole Kin; (3) 13.4 micromole NAA + 2.3 micromole Kin. Transfer of embryogenic calli onto hormone-free medium enabled the development of mature somatic embryos. Frequency of callogenesis was influenced by the donor plant. Among 15 donor plants tested, 3 of them exhibited high regeneration capability and produced 87 regenerants. Seven morphological traits were observed in order to assess phenotypic variability of flowering regenerants. Regenerants with higher values of fall and standard width and length show potential for further breeding of new varieties of Illyrian iris. Flowering and non-flowering regenerants had the same ploidy level as donor plants. Also, the nuclear DNA content of this species was estimated for the first time using flow cytometry (2C = 12.936 ± 0.038 pg).
AFLP analysis separated the eleven investigated populations into two groups based primarily on their geographical distance, while two chemotypes could be distinguished based on their essential oil ...profile. Display omitted
•Teucrium arduini is an endemic Illyric-Balcanic species.•Morphological, genetic and essential oil traits from eleven populations were shown.•AFLP shown two groups of populations based on their geographical distance.•Two chemotypes were distinguished based on the essential oil profile.
Analysis of the morphological traits of leaves, genetic variability (analyzed by AFLP) and chemical composition of essential oils (analyzed by GC–MS) was conducted on eleven populations of the endemic Illyric-Balcanic species Teucrium arduini L. in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Average blade length and width ranged from 20.00 to 31.47mm and from 11.58 to 15.66mm, respectively. Multivariate analysis (PCA, UPGMA) of morphological traits distinguished two continental Bosnian populations from the remaining populations. AFLP analysis separated the investigated populations into two groups based primarily on geographical distance. Essential oil analysis showed a total of 52 compounds, with two chemotypes distinguished based on the essential oil profile. The first was a sesquiterpene chemotype, with β-caryophyllene, germacrene D or caryophyllene oxide as the major compounds, while the second was an oxygenated monoterpene chemotype, with pulegone and piperitone oxide as the main components. The Mantel test showed a stronger correlation between the morphological traits and AFLP than between the essential oil profile and AFLP. The test also showed a stronger association between the essential oil profile and geographical position than between the morphological traits and geographical position.
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