Assessment of Genetic Relationships between Streptocarpus x hybridus V. Parents and F1 Progenies Using SRAP Markers and FT-IR Spectroscopy.

Monica Hârţa,Loredana Elena Olar,Doru Pamfil,Nicoleta E Dina,Katalin Szabo,Alexandra Fǎlǎmaş,Răzvan Ştefan,Cristina M Muntean,Orsolya Borsai

doi:10.3390/plants9020160

Abstract

The genetic relationship among three Streptocarpus parents and twelve F1 hybrids was assessed using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Both methods were able to discriminate F1 hybrids and parents as revealed by cluster analysis. For hybrid identification, the type III SRAP marker was the most effective due to the presence of male-specific bands in the hybrids. Different behaviors in the biochemical variability of DNA samples have been observed by FT-IR spectral analysis, which might be attributed to the inherent nature of the genomic DNA from parents and their F1 progenies. Mantel test was also carried out to compare morphological, SRAP, and FT-IR results based on genetic distances. The highest correlation coefficient was found between morphological and SRAP marker distances (R = 0.607; p ≤ 0.022). A lower correlation was observed between the morphological and FT-IR distance matrix (R = 0.231; p ≤0.008). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the distances generated with SRAP and FT-IR analyses (R = 0.026) but was not statistically significant. These findings show that both SRAP and FT-IR techniques combined with morphological descriptions can be used effectively for nonconventional breeding programs for Streptocarpus to obtain new and valuable varieties.

Highlights

Streptocarpus, known as Cape primrose, belongs to the Streptocarpus subgenus, being extensively cultivated worldwide as ornamental plants due to their beautiful flowers [1,2]
The first genetic map in Streptocarpus genus has recently been generated with RAD sequencing-based SNP markers [5], providing valuable information related to linkage groups between DNA markers and traits
The results obtained with the Mantel test confirm that sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers proved to be efficient for the authentication of F1 hybrids and parental discrimination based on profile of PCR-amplified bands and the valuable types of identified markers

Summary

Introduction

Streptocarpus, known as Cape primrose, belongs to the Streptocarpus subgenus, being extensively cultivated worldwide as ornamental plants due to their beautiful flowers [1,2]. Similar to other horticultural species, the hybridization followed by phenotypic selection was the most commonly used breeding method for Cape primrose varieties. The characterization of hybrids was generally based on morphological traits [3]. The first genetic map in Streptocarpus genus has recently been generated with RAD (restrictionsite associated DNA) sequencing-based SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers [5], providing valuable information related to linkage groups between DNA markers and traits. The establishment of the genetic relationships between morphological traits and DNA molecular markers could represent, in some cases, an alternative to genetic mapping and could be economically useful for the characterization and identification of F1 hybrids [6]

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Conclusion