Abstract
Analysis of crop genetic diversity and structure provides valuable information needed to broaden the narrow genetic base as well as to enhance the breeding and conservation strategies of crops. In this study, 95 Austrian and Belgian wheat cultivars maintained at the Centre for Genetic Resources (CGN) in the Netherlands were characterised using 1052 diversity array technology (DArT) markers to evaluate their genetic diversity, relationships and population structure. The rarefacted allelic richness recorded in the Austrian and Belgian breeding pools (A25 = 1.396 and 1.341, respectively) indicated that the Austrian germplasm contained a higher genetic diversity than the Belgian pool. The expected heterozygosity (HE) values of the Austrian and Belgian pools were 0.411 and 0.375, respectively. Moreover, the values of the polymorphic information content (PIC) of the Austrian and Belgian pools were 0.337 and 0.298, respectively. Neighbour-joining tree divided each of the Austrian and Belgian germplasm pools into two genetically distinct groups. The structure analyses of the Austrian and Belgian pools were in a complete concordance with their neighbour-joining trees. Furthermore, the 95 cultivars were compared to 618 wheat genotypes from nine European countries based on a total of 141 common DArT markers in order to place the Austrian and Belgian wheat germplasm in a wider European context. The rarefacted allelic richness (A10) varied from 1.224 (Denmark) to 1.397 (Austria). Cluster and principal coordinates (PCoA) analyses divided the wheat genotypes of the nine European countries into two main clusters. The first cluster comprised the Northern and Western European wheat genotypes, whereas the second included the Central European cultivars. The structure analysis of the 618 European wheat genotypes was in a complete concordance with the results of cluster and PCoA analyses. Interestingly, a highly significant difference was recorded between regions (26.53%). In conclusion, this is the first study to reveal the high diversity levels and structure of the uncharacterised Austrian and Belgian wheat germplasm maintained at the CGN as well as place them in a wider European context. The results should help plant breeders to utilise the most promising wheat genotypes of this study in future breeding programmes for enhancing wheat cultivars.
Highlights
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important allohexaploid cereal crop that originates from three diploid species: Triticum urartu (AA), a progenitor related to Aegilops speltoides (BB), and Aegilops tauschii (DD) [1]
diversity array technology (DArT) markers showed their efficiency in assessing the genetic diversity of different crops
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the levels of genetic diversity and structure of the uncharacterised Austrian and Belgian wheat germplasm maintained at the Centre for Genetic Resources (CGN) as well as place them in a wider European context
Summary
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important allohexaploid cereal crop that originates from three diploid species: Triticum urartu (AA), a progenitor related to Aegilops speltoides (BB), and Aegilops tauschii (DD) [1]. Domestication has resulted in reducing the genetic variability in several crop species, including wheat [4]. The narrow genetic base is a major concern threatening crop genetic improvement progress [3]. Introgression of novel alleles from various plant genetic resources can enhance the reduced genetic diversity. Characterization and exploitation of the germplasm maintained at the plant genetic resource centres are, essential to enhance crop yield and resistance to pathogens in order to meet the needs of the growing human population [6]. Hundreds of thousands of wheat accessions, representing diverse geographical locations worldwide, have been maintained at numerous plant genetic resource centres without appropriate genetic characterization or revealing their potential value in crop improvement [1,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
