Molecular Authentication, Propagation Trials and Field Establishment of Greek Native Genotypes of Sambucus nigra L. (Caprifoliaceae): Setting the Basis for Domestication and Sustainable Utilization

In the context of sustainable utilisation of valuable but neglected plant resources, a multifaceted study is presented herein for Greek native genotypes of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L., Caprifoliaceae), a species with an appreciated pharmaceutical and nutritional value. At the first phase, fresh plant materials (leaves, softwood cuttings) were collected from nine geographically separated genotypes originating from wild-growing Greek native germplasm of S. nigra. The leaf samples were genetically authenticated using DNA barcoding (ITS2). The next phase included the development of an asexual propagation protocol via cuttings which included screening of the collected genotypes in terms of propagation success, and further experimentation over a two-year period on a prioritised genotype. The propagation results highlighted the importance of external application of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) rooting hormone at levels of 2000–4000 ppm, which consistently presented high rooting rates (100%) of summer softwood, leafy cuttings of apical or sub-apical type. At the same time, rooting quality in terms of root number and length as well as early plant growth after rooting, were improved by external hormone application resulting in high rates of plant survival. This study reports first-time data on multifaceted assessment of Greek native S. nigra genotypes on molecular authentication and asexual propagation, thus ultimately setting the basis for domestication and sustainable utilization of this species.

Development And Identification of 131 SNP Markers In Sthenoteuthis Pteropus (Steenstrup)

The orangeback flying squid, Sthenoteuthis pteropus, is a species of significant potential value that is widely distributed in the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There have been no reports of the population genetics and effective molecular markers for this species due to a lack of reliable information regarding its genetic structure and its many individual differences, as well as its complex and changeable life history. Therefore, the development of auxiliary molecular markers would contribute to the development, sustainable utilization, and protection of the species. In this study, 131 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed by double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (dd-RAD). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.00 to 0.80 and 0.18 to 0.50, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.18 to 0.50. None of the marker locations significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p >0.05) after a Bonferroni correction. These polymorphic SNPs will be important in the further analysis of the population heredity of S. pteropus and its scientific management.