Determination of natural distribution areas and some agro-morphological characteristics with sexual dimorphism of wild asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) in Iğdır plain-Turkey

Abstract

Globally, interest in wild plants has been on the rise in recent years. The potential of wild plants to be used in breeding for sustainable agriculture and people's preference for consumption attract research attentions. The study was aimed to investigate the natural distribution of Asparagus officinalis L. taxon, along the Iğdır plain, one of the largest micro-climate regions of Turkey and consumed by the people of the region. The research was also motivated to evaluate wild Asparagus species using some agro-morphological characteristics, including sexual dimorphism, for a two years study period. It has been identified that asparagus spreads along the Aras river forming the border of Armenia at altitudes of 800–1076 m in the region and most densely populated in Karakoyunlu district. The result of the present investigation revealed a wide range of variations for agro-morphological characteristics like days to fruit ripening (76–91 day), edible spear length (168.21–315.34 mm), diameter (6.30–10.86 mm), fresh weight (5.27–19.52 g), dry weight (0.38–1.55 g), number of spear (8–26 plant−1), number of fruit (61–2467 spear−1), fruit weight (8.0–258.3 g spear−1), male plant length (1116.9–2.163.7 mm), female plant length (1219.4–2110.2 mm), male pedicle length (3.72–4.17 mm) and female pedicle length (3.21–3.54 mm) were observed, which can be useful for breeding purposes. Cluster constellation analysis was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of 31 asparagus genotypes. According to the agro-morphological properties, asparagus were divided into 2 main groups and 4 sub-groups (A; A1, A2 and B; B1, B2). Aralık district samples were mostly collected in the B1, Karakoyunlu district in the B2, Tuzluca district in the Al and A2, and Iğdır district mostly in the B2 cluster. As a result, Karakoyunlu were found superior with the highest asparagus density and edible spear yield as compared to other districts. In order protect the habitat of wild asparagus from excessive consumption and losses due to climate changes and land use, seeds should be collected from these areas to be used for cultivation and breeding purposes. In addition, it is advisable to keep seeds in gene banks for sustainable agriculture and protection of genetic diversity.