Genetic Diversity in a Collection of Lucerne Populations from the Mediterranean Basin Evaluated by SSR Markers

Background The olive tree is a typical crop of the Mediterranean basin where it shows a wide diversity, accounting for more than 2,600 cultivars. The ability to discriminate olive cultivars and determine their genetic variability is pivotal for an optimal exploitation of olive genetic resources. Methods We investigated the genetic diversity within 128 olive accessions belonging to four countries in the Mediterranean Basin (Italy, Algeria, Syria, and Malta), with the purpose of better understanding the origin and spread of the olive genotypes across Mediterranean Basin countries. Eleven highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used and proved to be very informative, producing a total of 179 alleles. Results Cluster analysis distinguished three main groups according to their geographical origin, with the current sample of Maltese accessions included in the Italian group. Phylogenetic analysis further differentiated Italian and Maltese olive accessions, clarifying the intermediate position of Maltese accessions along the x/y-axes of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). Model-based and neighbor clustering, PCoA, and migration analysis suggested the existence of two different gene pools (Algerian and Syrian) and that the genetic exchange occurred between the Syrian, Italian and Maltese populations. Discussion The close relationship between Syrian and Italian and Maltese olives was consistent with the historical domestication and migration of olive tree from the North Levant to eastern Mediterranean basin. This study lays the foundations for a better understanding of olive genetic diversity in the Mediterranean basin and represents a step toward an optimal conservation and exploitation of olive genetic resources.

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Anin situapproach to the conservation of temperate cereal crop wild relatives in the Mediterranean Basin and Asian centre of diversity

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262118000588 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 185-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jade Phillips ◽

Katherine Whitehouse ◽

Nigel Maxted

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Mediterranean Basin ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Cereal Crops ◽

Centre Of Diversity ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

AbstractCereal crops are one of the most widely consumed and most valuable crops for humankind. The species have been domesticated for over 10,000 years and as such have lost much of the genetic diversity that is present within their wild relatives. Future breeding efforts will require the use of genetic diversity from crop wild relatives (CWRs) to help improve our cereal crops. This study aims to identify anin situconservation network within the Mediterranean Basin and west Asia for the four cereal crops, barley (HordeumL.), oat (AvenaL.), rye (SecaleL.) and wheat (AegilopsL.,AmblyopyrumL.,TriticumL.). This region is a centre of diversity for these taxa and an area of potentially high genetic diversity, which if left unprotected will not be available for plant breeders to utilize in the future. Presence point data for a total of 90 taxa were collected from GBIF and resulted in 76,343 individual presence points across the 44 countries in the study region. Geographic Information System (GIS) software was used to identify potentialin situreserve networks per crop genepool and for all crops combined. Results indicate a network of 10 locations across the region which would protect over 80% of the taxa. The number one priority reserve is found within the Fertile Crescent region on the border of Israel, Syria and Jordan. This proposed reserve location contains 93 currently protected areas (i.e. National Parks) and as such, it may only be necessary to alter management plans to effectively protect CWR populations. For taxa not found within protected areasex situconservation may be more appropriate and should be implemented as a backup to thein situreserve network.

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