Morphological and Chemical Diversity and Antioxidant Capacity of the Service Tree (Sorbus domestica L.) Fruits from Two Eco-Geographical Regions.

Igor Poljak,Katarina Tumpa,Davorin Kajba,Antonio Vidaković,Bernarda Valković,Ivana Zegnal,Marilena Idžojtić,Zlatko Liber,Nada Vahčić,Valentino Pintar

doi:10.3390/plants10081691

Igor Poljak, Katarina Tumpa + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081691

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Abstract

Service tree, Sorbus domestica L., is a rare and neglected wild fruit tree species of southern and central Europe. Being distributed in different eco-geographical regions, with fragmented and low-density populations, S. domestica represents an interesting model case for investigating patterns of within- and between-population diversity at geographical and environmental scales. This study aimed to analyze the proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and morphometric fruit characteristics. We examined the diversity and population divergences of 49 S. domestica individuals originating from seven populations across continental and Mediterranean eco-geographical regions. In addition, tests of isolation by distance and environment were performed to detect the magnitude of divergence explained by geographic and environmental variables. Significant differences between the studied populations were found in almost all of the studied morphometric and chemical fruit characteristics. The studied service tree populations were characterized by high phenotypic variation despite the low number of trees per population. Model-based population structure analysis using morphometric and chemical fruit characteristics revealed three groups of service tree populations. We concluded that non-effective pollen and seed dispersal along with genetic drift and specific environmental factors resulted in a distinct phenotype with a specific chemical composition in the isolated island population. In addition, a pattern of isolation by the environment was revealed. We infer that morphological and chemical differences between the studied populations in the true service tree from different eco-geographical regions were mediated by adaptation to the specific environmental conditions.

Highlights

Forest fruit trees are species that play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, by enriching the gene pool of the forest ecosystem and with other trees and shrubs, ensuring the hardiness and health of the whole forest, as well as increasing the soil quality [1]
Our study showed high levels of phenotypic and chemical diversity for service tree populations despite its scattered nature and low-density populations
We revealed the existence of three morphologically and chemically distinct and well-defined groups of service tree populations

Summary

Introduction

Forest fruit trees are species that play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, by enriching the gene pool of the forest ecosystem and with other trees and shrubs, ensuring the hardiness and health of the whole forest, as well as increasing the soil quality [1]. Forest fruits represent an additional food source for wild animals, being rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, they are recommended for human consumption as well [3]. As such, they have a large potential in the sustainable development of rural areas [4] and their usage and popularization are in line with sustainable resource management [5]. It is found in southern and central Europe, with the center of distribution in the Balkan Peninsula, Italy, and southern

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