Abstract
Research Highlights: This study assesses the genetic diversity and structure of the ice-cream-bean (Inga edulis Mart.; Fabaceae) in wild and cultivated populations from the Peruvian Amazon. This research also highlights the importance of protecting the biodiversity of the forest in the Peruvian Amazon, to preserve the genetic resources of species and allow further genetic improvement. Background and Objectives: Ice-cream-bean is one of the most commonly used species in the Amazon region for its fruits and for shading protection of other species (e.g., cocoa and coffee plantations). Comprehensive studies about the impact of domestication on this species’ genetic diversity are needed, to find the best conservation and improvement strategies. Materials and Methods: In the current study, the genetic structure and diversity were assessed by genotyping 259 trees, sampled in five wild and 22 cultivated I. edulis populations in the Peruvian Amazon, with microsatellite markers. Pod length was measured in wild and cultivated trees. Results: The average pod length in cultivated trees was significantly higher than that in wild trees. The expected genetic diversity and the average number of alleles was higher in the wild compared to the cultivated populations; thus, a loss of genetic diversity was confirmed in the cultivated populations. The cultivated trees in the Loreto region had the highest pod length and lowest allelic richness; nevertheless, the wild populations’ genetic structure was not clearly differentiated (significantly different) from that of the cultivated populations. Conclusions: A loss of genetic diversity was confirmed in the cultivated populations. The species could have been simultaneously domesticated in multiple locations, usually from local origin. The original I. edulis Amazonian germplasm should be maintained. Cultivated populations’ new germplasm influx from wild populations should be undertaken to increase genetic diversity.
Highlights
The Peruvian rainforest, due to its large and relatively continuous area of primary forest, is a worldwide biodiversity hotspot, which is suffering intense disturbance and deforestation from human exploitation and global change [1]
The higher values found in cultivated trees compared to the wild trees clearly support the domestication of I. edulis for food supply
The results from our study further indicate that all the genetic diversity estimates were lower in the case of the cultivated populations compared to the wild ones, as well as the average inbreeding coefficient
Summary
The Peruvian rainforest, due to its large and relatively continuous area of primary forest, is a worldwide biodiversity hotspot, which is suffering intense disturbance and deforestation from human exploitation and global change [1]. The Peruvian rainforest that remains a large and relatively continuous area of primary forest has major conservation value and is considered a priority in most global biodiversity inventories, due to its biodiversity and the disturbance and deforestation rates [4,5]. Information about the species’ genetic structure will assist in tree breeding programmes and conservation strategies, in particular in tropical trees, and, to study the implications of human impact on genetic resources [6,7]. Comprehensive studies about the impact of domestication on this species’ genetic diversity are needed, to find the best conservation and improvement strategies. Materials and Methods: In the current study, the genetic structure and diversity were assessed by genotyping 259 trees, sampled in five wild and 22 cultivated I. edulis populations in the Peruvian Amazon, with microsatellite markers.
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