Abstract
Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and its relatives are considered resilient legumes due to their high ability to cope with different stresses. In this study, the genetic diversity of three Lathyrus species (L. sativus, L cicera and L. ochrus) was assessed by agronomic traits and molecular markers (Simple Sequence Repeat-SSR) in order to detect accessions useful for future breeding strategies. Phenotypic traits showed a high significant variation in which 1000 seed weight (1000 SW) and protein content appeared the most discriminant, as observed by principal component analysis (PCA). SSR analysis was able to detect forty-eight different alleles with an average of 9.6 allele per locus, and a Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) and a gene diversity of 0.745 and 0.784, respectively. Cluster analysis based on agronomic traits as well as molecular data grouped accessions by species but not by geographical origin. This result was confirmed by Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and Structure Analysis as well. Moreover, genetic structure analysis revealed a high genetic differentiation between L. ochrus and the other species. Analysis of MOlecular Variance (AMOVA) displayed a greater genetic diversity within species (77%) than among them (23%). Finally, a significant positive correlation was observed between agronomic and genetic distances (Mantel’s test). In conclusion, the variability detected within accessions in each species and the differences among species may be useful to plan next breeding programs, focusing on biomass production as well as protein content.
Highlights
The genus Lathyrus encompass more than 160 species [1], widely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin and in temperate as well as tropical countries
The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of three Lathyrus species including grasspea, which exhibited a high adaptability to semi-arid conditions, by using both agronomical traits and molecular markers
We combined S3: Microsatellite primer pairs (SSR) markers and the main important agronomical traits to assess the genetic diversity and population structure in the Lathyrus genus with forty accessions belonging to three different species
Summary
The genus Lathyrus encompass more than 160 species [1], widely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin and in temperate as well as tropical countries. Most Lathyrus species are diploid (2n = 14), showing similar chromosome morphology as L. sativus and L. cicera [5]. According to different classifications based on morphological analysis, in the genus. Lathyrus were individuated 13 sections [6], and these classifications were further confirmed by using sequence data for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region from chloroplastic DNA [7,8]. This last molecular method was able to detect homoplasy and hybridization events, avoiding thereby misclassification [7]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: 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.