Unique Cultivar Research Articles

A New Pyrrole Alkaloid from Capsicum annuum L. var. palmera Grown in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain)

Capsicum annuum, commonly known as pepper, is a widely cultivated crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance. Among its varieties, the small red bell pepper, locally known as “pimienta palmera”, is a unique cultivar from La Palma in the Canary Islands, renowned for its distinctive flavor and use in traditional dishes. Despite its cultural importance, limited research exists on the chemical composition of this pepper variety. This study investigates the chemical constituents of dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions extracted from the pericarp of Capsicum annuum var. palmera. Isolation and structural elucidation of compounds were achieved using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HREIMS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and chromatographic techniques. A previously unreported pyrrolo-lactone compound, 2-(6-formyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-4-yl)acetic acid, was identified alongside other metabolites, including α-tocopherol, β-sitosterol, and oleic acid. This alkaloid adds to the chemical diversity of Capsicum species and highlights the unique bioactive potential of this regional pepper. These findings enhance the understanding of pimienta palmera’s composition and suggest potential applications in nutraceuticals and pharmacology due to the biological activity associated with pyrrole alkaloids. The characterization of this compound underscores the need to further explore the phytochemical richness of traditional crops with limited prior research.

Multipurpose Impacts of Silver Nitrate on Direct Organogenesis of Begonia rex cv. DS-EYWA via Transverse Thin Cell Layering (tTCL) Technique

Begonia rex cv. DS-EYWA is an important plant for indoor and outdoor cultivation, and cv. DS-EYWA is a rare unique cultivar with curly, colorful leaves. Due to their importance, applying plant tissue culture techniques for mass and healthy production in a short period of time without seasonal limitation is of immense economic value. Applying several concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in combination with varied concentrations of cytokinins including 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mgL−1), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) auxin (0, 0.5, 1 mgL−1) via focusing on transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) petiole explants for high-scale production was used to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol. Our results showed that even low concentrations (25 mgL−1) can control internal bacterial infection and increase shoot direct regeneration efficiency. A combination of 1.5 mgL−1 BAP, 0.5 mgL−1 NAA, and 25 mgL−1 AgNO3 was the best treatment to increase the number of direct regenerated shoots, and a lower concentration of BAP (0.5 mgL−1) can be suggested for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were successfully rooted in MS basal medium and acclimatized in a 1:1 peat moss/perlite sterilized pot mixture.

High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals Novel microRNAs Involved in the Continuous Flowering Trait of Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.).

A major determinant of fruit production in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is the difficulty of blossoming. In this study, high-throughput microRNA sequencing (miRNA-Seq) was carried out to compare differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and their target genes between a continuous flowering cultivar 'Sijimi' (SJ), and a unique cultivar 'Lidongben' (LD), which blossoms only once in the season. Over the course of our study, 1662 known miRNAs and 235 novel miRNAs were identified and 13,334 genes were predicted to be the target of 1868 miRNAs. One conserved miRNA and 29 new novel miRNAs were identified as differently expressed; among them, 16 were upregulated and 14 were downregulated. Through the KEGG pathway and cluster analysis of DEmiRNA target genes, three critical regulatory pathways, plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, and photosynthesis-antenna protein, were discovered to be strongly associated with the continuous flowering trait of the SJ. The integrated correlation analysis of DEmiRNAs and their target mRNAs revealed fourteen important flowering-related genes, including COP1-like, Casein kinase II, and TCP20. These fourteen flowering-related genes were targeted by five miRNAs, which were novel-miR137, novel-miR76, novel-miR101, novel-miR37, and csi-miR3954, suggesting these miRNAs might play vital regulatory roles in flower regulation in longan. Furthermore, novel-miR137 was cloned based on small RNA sequencing data analysis. The pSAK277-miR137 transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed delayed flowering phenotypes. This study provides new insight into molecular regulation mechanisms of longan flowering.

Botrytis cinerea mediated cell wall degradation accelerates spike stalk browning in Munage grape.

Munage grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Munage.) is a unique cultivar in southern Xinjiang, China. Spike stalk browning in this species has becomes more common in recent years, negatively impacting the shelf life, and causing severe economic losses during storage. This study investigated the changes in metabolisms of cell wall by Botrytis cinerea infection in association with spike stalk browning. Morphological and physiological observations showed that preharvest B. cinerea infection accelerates the spike stalk browning during storage in Munage grapes by promoting cell wall degradation. Accordingly, the cell structures in infected spike stalk showed severe collapse, while the cell structures in uninfected spike stalk remained relatively complete. Furthermore, the contents of CDTA-soluble pectin (CSP), Na2 CO3 -soluble pectin (NSP), cellulose, and hemicellulose were reduced, while the water-soluble pectin (WSP) content was increased during infection. In addition, the activities of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), beta-galactosidase (β-Gal), and cellulase (Cx) were highly promoted by B. cinerea. Correspondingly, the expression levels of VvPG were markedly upregulated after inoculation and played a major role in cell wall degradation. Additionally, the spike stalk inoculated by B. cinerea showed higher activities of PPO and POD, and content of total phenolics. These results contribute to elucidating the relationship between cell wall degradation induced by B. cinerea during spike stalk browning and provide a basis for future research on improving the ability of the host cell wall to resist degrading enzymes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Botrytis cinerea is the main fungal pathogen causing the gray mold of grapes. It usually enters the tissue early in crop development, has a long incubation period, and rapidly infects the tissue when the environment is favorable and the host physiology changes. Gray mold has been reported as one of the major postharvest diseases of grapes. However, there are relatively few reports on the pathways through which B. cinerea causes the browning of grape stalks. Controlling browning caused by B. cinerea may require clarification of the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which browning occurs. The elucidation of the role of B. cinerea in causing browning of grape stalks through the cell wall degradation pathway will help to provide scientific basis for further controlling browning, maintaining freshness of stalks, developing biological agents to prevent browning, improving grape quality, and extending storage period.

Transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes related to chlorogenic acid biosynthesis during development of Korla fragrant pear in Xinjiang

Korla fragrant pear (KFP) with special fragrance is a unique cultivar in Xinjiang, China. In order to explore the biosynthesis molecular mechanism of chlorogenic acid (CGA) in KFP, the samples at different development periods were collected for transcriptome analysis. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that CGA contents of KFP at 88, 118 and 163 days after full bloom were (20.96 ± 1.84), (12.01 ± 0.91) and (7.16 ± 0.41) mg/100g, respectively, and decreased with the fruit development. Pears from these typical 3 periods were selected for de novo transcriptome assemble and 68059 unigenes were assembled from 444037960 clean reads. One ‘phenylpropanoid biosynthesis’ pathway including 57 unigenes, 11 PALs, 1 PTAL, 6 4CLs, 9 C4Hs, 25 HCTs and 5 C3'Hs related to CGA biosynthesis was determined. It was found that the expression levels of 11 differentially expressed genes including 1 PAL, 2 C4Hs, 3 4CLs and 5 HCTs were consistent with the change of CGA content. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis further showed that 8 unigenes involved in CGA biosynthesis were consistent with the RNA-seq data. These findings will provide a comprehensive understanding and valuable information on the genetic engineering and molecular breeding in KFP.

Evaluation of genetic structure of pistachio through whole genome resequencing

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is the only edible and cultivated species. Pistachio is the only economically importance and dioecious species in the genus Pistacia. There are basic problems in pistachio breeding such as dioecious flower structure, long juvenile period and alternate bearing. These problems can be overcome not with classical breeding methods, but with modern molecular breeding methods. In this study, very high numbers of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertion/deletion (InDel), structural variants (SV) and copy number variation (CNV) were determined by using the next generation sequencing data of the pistachio genotype obtained with 15x sequencing coverage. A total of 1,785,235 SNP, 260,683 InDel, 5,227 SV and 1,914 CNV variants identified in PvF217 pistachio genotype. The variant density was calculated as one variant per 292 base. The distribution of the obtained variants to the Siirt reference genome was obtained. In addition, all variants were annotated to the reference genome and exonic and genomic variants were described using Annovar. These data will be used to consist of a molecular database in pistachio breeding for DNA fingerprinting, discovering unique cultivar specific alleles and to identify quantitative trait loci related to important nut traits.

High Beta Carotene Discovered in Kalanamak of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Kalanamak rice is a unique cultivar of Oryza sativa L. where Beta Carotene is present. In the freshly harvested grain, the Beta Carotene is 0.42 mg / 100 g, and in one year old sample it is 0.18g / 100 g. Total carotenoids in the these samples were 0.51 and 0.31 respectively. Beta Carotene of Kalanamak needs to be studied further for its conversion rate into Vitamin A. Through various breeding methods, amount of Beta Carotene needs to be increased for remedying Vitamin A Deficiency in the human population. Along with high aroma, high Iron, high Zinc and high protein, semi-dwarf varieties of Kalanamak will be the unique rice of the world. It is non-GMO unlike Golden Rice, and thus non-controversial in consumption and promotion.

Transposon-induced methylation of the RsMYB1 promoter disturbs anthocyanin accumulation in red-fleshed radish.

Red-fleshed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a unique cultivar whose taproot is rich in anthocyanins beneficial to human health. However, the frequent occurrence of white-fleshed mutants affects the purity of commercially produced radish and the underlying mechanism has puzzled breeders for many years. In this study, we combined quantitative trait location by genome resequencing and transcriptome analyses to identify a candidate gene (RsMYB1) responsible for anthocyanin accumulation in red-fleshed radish. However, no sequence variation was found in the coding and regulatory regions of the RsMYB1 genes of red-fleshed (MTH01) and white-fleshed (JC01) lines, and a 7372 bp CACTA transposon in the RsMYB1 promoter region occurred in both lines. A subsequent analysis suggested that the white-fleshed mutant was the result of altered DNA methylation in the RsMYB1 promoter. This heritable epigenetic change was due to the hypermethylated CACTA transposon, which induced the spreading of DNA methylation to the promoter region of RsMYB1. Thus, RsMYB1 expression was considerably down-regulated, which inhibited anthocyanin biosynthesis in the white-fleshed mutant. An examination of transgenic radish calli and the results of a virus-induced gene silencing experiment confirmed that RsMYB1 is responsible for anthocyanin accumulation. Moreover, the mutant phenotype was partially eliminated by treatment with a demethylating agent. This study explains the molecular mechanism regulating the appearance of white-fleshed mutants of red-fleshed radish.

Longer Duration of Short-day Treatment Is Required to Advance Flowering and Fruiting of Decaploid Strawberry ‘Tokun’

Strawberry ‘Tokun’ (2n = 10x =70) is a unique cultivar with special flavors, but its late maturity hampers its extension. To advance flowering and fruiting of this decaploid strawberry, the effects of short-day combined with extra nitrogen (N) nutrition treatments on strawberry ‘Tokun’ plants were studied. Runner plantlets of strawberry ‘Tokun’ were harvested and rooted in tray plugs in June 2016, 2017, and 2018, and established plants were conditioned with short-day (SD; 10 hours) and extra N nutrition. The conditioned plants were transplanted into a tabletop substrate culture system in a plastic greenhouse on 27 Aug., 3 Sept., and 10 Sept. during the 3 years, respectively, and the plants received full-element nutrient solution through the drip tube during the whole experimental period. The number of runners and lateral buds, flowering and fruiting periods, and fruit yield were investigated. Longer duration (6–7 weeks) of the SD treatment (10 hours) could significantly reduce the number of runners and increase the number of lateral buds of strawberry ‘Tokun’, advance flowering and fruiting, and achieve a fruit yield of ≈200 g/plant from November to December. The positive effect of extra N nutrition on flowering and fruiting of strawberry ‘Tokun’ was not found. This study is of great practical importance and guiding significance for cultivation and extension of the decaploid strawberry ‘Tokun’.

Characterization of phenolic compounds and aroma active compounds in feijoa juice from four New Zealand grown cultivars by LC-MS and HS-SPME-GC-O-MS.

The phenolic compounds and aroma active compounds in feijoa (Acca sellowiana (O.Berg) Burret) juice from four New Zealand grown cultivars (Apollo, Unique, Opal Star, and Wiki Tu) were investigated. A high total phenolic content (maximum 1.89mg GAE/mL juice) and significant antioxidant activities (maximum 14.66mM Trolox/mL juice) were determined in feijoa juices. A total of 7 phenolic compounds from the screening of 29 standards were identified and quantified by LC-MS, with procyanidin B1 (209.78-511.07μg/mL) and (+)-catechin (121.80-472.75μg/mL) being the most abundant. Procyanidin B2 and quercetin-3-galactoside were reported in feijoa samples for the first time. The volatile compounds in feijoa juice were identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and 17 of the 63 identified compounds were not previously reported in feijoa samples. A total of 25 aroma active compounds were further identified by the olfactory test, and the esters and terpenes were the dominant compounds contributing to the aroma of feijoa juice. Methyl benzoate showed the characteristic "feijoa-like" aroma with a concentration of 13.62-52.62μg/g juice. The aroma profile of feijoa juice from the four selected cultivars was established, and the "fruity" and "green, grassy & herbal" notes were the predominant attributes. Among the four selected cultivars, the Unique cultivar had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activities, while the Wiki Tu was the most aroma intensive. This study, first report on the phenolics and aroma compounds in feijoa juice with comparison of four cultivars, could be fundamental and essential to natural fruit juice industry and feijoa fruit investigation, as well as provided scientific evidence to local feijoa market and growers regarding cultivar selection.

Extraction Optimization, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Profiling of Extracts from Flesh, Peel and Whole Fruit of New Zealand Grown Feijoa Cultivars.

Feijoa fruit is becoming increasingly popular, yet limited studies have focused on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic profiling of its extracts. In this research, optimization of phenolic extraction from feijoa flesh, peel, and whole fruit from four New Zealand grown cultivars was conducted using orthogonal design. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were assessed, followed by phenolic profiling by a validated liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. For feijoa flesh and whole fruit, the extraction was optimized using 70% ethanol, material to solvent ratio of 1:30, at extraction temperature of 50 °C for 30 min. For feijoa peel, extraction at 50 °C for 60 min using 50% ethanol with a material to solvent ratio of 1:30 were the optimized conditions. Results showed feijoa peel had higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities than the flesh and whole fruit. Overall, the Unique cultivar had a relatively higher TPC and antioxidant activity than the other cultivars tested. A total of 15 phenolic compounds were identified, and seven of them were reported for the first time in feijoa fruit. This is the first systematic investigation on the extraction method, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of feijoa emphasis on comparison of sample types and cultivars.

Analisis Kekerabatan Genetik Kultivar Kopi Arabika Berbuah Kuning dan Berbuah Merah Berdasarkan Marka SSR

Yellow berry of Arabica coffee (AGK-1) cultivated in Garut is a local cultivar that potentially could be released as a superior variety. However, its genetic background has not been studied. Information of genetic background is one of the requirement in releasing of a new variety. The objective of this research was to analyze the genetic relationships of AGK-1 cultivar with 11 red berries Arabica coffee cultivars based on simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers to find polymorphisms and clustering. The research was carried out at the Molecular Laboratory of Indonesian Industrial and Beverage Crops Research Institute and Biology Molecular Laboratory of Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development, from January to March 2015. These twelve Arabica coffee cultivars were obtained from Garut Regency. A total of 12 SSR primers were used to investigate the genetic relationships of the plant. The result showed that 12 SSR markers were adequate to identify the relationships among 12 Arabica coffee cultivars. The genetic clustering obtained in this study is related to plant morphology, particularly plant growth characters, such as tall, semi dwarf and dwarf. AGK-1 cultivar genetically related to ABP-2, one of red berries cultivars that originated from Brazil. Both of these cultivars have the same growing type characters (i.e. semi dwarf). AGK-1 cultivar that has yellow berry color presumably derived from an open pollinated red berries parents, mainly ABP-2 cultivar. Therefore, AGK-1 is a unique cultivar that could be released as a local superior variety.

Quantification of γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Sri Lankan Tea by Means of Ultra Performance Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important bioactive component of tea, acts as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter and is considered to influence other physiological processes in human as well as in planta. In the hereby presented study, the content of this valuable metabolite was investigated in two novel types of Ceylon Tea, explicitly "Silver Tips" and "White Tea", originating from minimally processed buds of the unique cultivar, "TRI 2043". The samples were subjected to hot water infusion, equivalent to the traditional beverage preparation procedure, and analyzed by means of hydrophilic interaction ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC LC-MS/MS). The registered GABA levels were compared with those obtained for the classic "Black Tea" and "Green Tea" samples from Sri Lanka. A high variation of GABA content was observed among the different tea types, especially in the case of "Silver Tips" and "White Tea", indicating the crucial influence of the manufacturing procedure (processing extent) on the final abundance of the bioactive component of interest. Furthermore, "White Tea" samples boasted the highest GABA concentration reported for this type of tea so far, reaching up to 50% of that characteristic of the high-priced "GABA Tea". Therefore, "White Tea" and "Silver Tips" were proved to be high quality tea with amounts of gamma-aminobutyric acid comparable with those described for similar types before. To our knowledge, this is the first report on HILIC LC-MS/MS application for the quantification of GABA and for in-depth characterization of teas from Sri Lanka.

Shape flax

Duguid, S. D., Rashid, K. Y. and Kenaschuk, E. O. 2014. Shape flax. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 157–160. Shape, a medium maturing oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), was released in 2007 by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden Research Station, Morden, Manitoba. Developed from the cross M4684/FP1043 made in 1997, Shape was evaluated in the Flax Cooperative Trials in (2004–2006) before being registered in 2007. Shape's desirable combination of agronomic traits and seed quality, particularly its significantly improved oil and protein content, oil quality profile and disease resistance, should make it a useful and unique cultivar for producers and the flax industry.

Advances in apple culture worldwide

Over the last 60 years, planting densities for apple have increased as improved management systems have been developed. Dwarfing rootstocks have been the key to the dramatic changes in tree size, spacing and early production. The Malling series of dwarfing rootstocks (M.9 and M.26) have been the most important dwarfing rootstocks in the world but are poorly adapted in some areas of the world and they are susceptible to the bacterial disease fire blight and the soil disease complex, apple replant disease which limits their uses in some areas. Rootstock breeding programs in several parts of the world are developing improved rootstocks with resistance to fire blight, and replant disease, and improved cold hardiness and yield efficiency. A second important trend has been the increasing importance of new cultivars. New cultivars have provided opportunities for higher prices until they are over-produced. A new trend is the "variety club" in which variety owners manage the production and marketing of a new unique cultivar to bring higher prices to the growers and variety owners. This has led to many fruit growers being unable to plant or grow some new cultivars. Important rootstock and cultivar genes have been mapped and can be used in marker assisted selection of future rootstock and cultivar selections. Other important improvements in apple culture include the development of pre-formed trees, the development of minimal pruning strategies and limb angle bending which have also contributed to the dramatic changes in early production in the 2nd-5th years after planting. Studies on light interception and distribution have led to improved tree forms with better fruit quality. Simple pruning strategies and labor positioning platform machines have resulted in partial mechanization of pruning which has reduced management costs. Improved plant growth regulators for thinning and the development of a thinning prediction model based on tree carbohydrate balance have improved the ability to produce the optimum fruit size and crop load. Other new plant growth regulators have also allowed control of shoot growth, control of preharvest fruit drop and control of fruit softening in storage after harvest. As we look to the future, there will be continued incremental improvement in our understanding of plant physiology that will lead to continued incremental improvements in orchard management but there is likely to be dramatic changes in orchard production systems through genomics research and genetic engineering. A greater understanding of the genetic control of dwarfing, precocity, rooting, vegetative growth, flowering, fruit growth and disease resistance which will lead to new varieties and rootstocks which are less expensive to grow and manage.

Seasonal Fiber Content of Three Sugarcane Cultivars in Three Crop Cycles on Sand and Muck Soils

Accurate seasonal estimates of fiber are needed to maximize profits whether producing sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) for sucrose or ethanol. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sample date and crop cycle on fiber content of three sugarcane cultivars growing on sand and organic (muck) soils, and secondarily to determine if fiber could be reliably estimated 1 mo before the beginning of the harvest season. From September through February, from 2007–2009, fiber content was estimated from monthly sampled stripped stalks of cultivars CP 72‐2086, CP 78‐1628, and CP 89‐2143 growing in three replications of field plots in south Florida in the plant‐cane, first‐ratoon, and second‐ratoon crop cycles on Pompano fine sand (siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Psammaquent) or Margate sand (Siliceous, hyperthermic Mollic Psammaquent), and Torry muck (euic, hyperthermic Typic Haplosaprist) soils. Linear increases in fiber content ranged from 0.07 to 0.28 g kg−1 d−1 Quadratic models usually predicted maximum fiber content from December through early January. On sand soils, the cultivar rankings were often similar to expectations, with fiber content of CP 78‐1628 > CP 89‐2143 > CP 72‐2086. On the muck soil, CP 78‐1628 fiber content was high, but differences between CP 72‐2086 and CP 89‐2143 were not consistent. For all soils, overall means were often not indicative of fiber status due to significant, but inconsistent interactions. Researchers should analyze fiber content whenever they analyze sucrose content, and mills should monitor fiber content daily of unique cultivar × crop cycle × soil deliveries.

Evaluation of diversity among common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from two centers of domestication using 'omics' technologies

BackgroundGenetic diversity among wild accessions and cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has been characterized using plant morphology, seed protein allozymes, random amplified polymorphic DNA, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, DNA sequence analysis, chloroplast DNA, and microsatellite markers. Yet, little is known about whether these traits, which distinguish among genetically distinct types of common bean, can be evaluated using omics technologies.ResultsThree 'omics' approaches: transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics were used to qualitatively evaluate the diversity of common bean from two Centers of Domestication (COD). All three approaches were able to classify common bean according to their COD using unsupervised analyses; these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that differences exist in gene transcription, protein expression, and synthesis and metabolism of small molecules among common bean cultivars representative of different COD. Metabolomic analyses of multiple cultivars within two common bean gene pools revealed cultivar differences in small molecules that were of sufficient magnitude to allow identification of unique cultivar fingerprints.ConclusionsGiven the high-throughput and low cost of each of these 'omics' platforms, significant opportunities exist for their use in the rapid identification of traits of agronomic and nutritional importance as well as to characterize genetic diversity.

Comparing the historic olive trees (Olea europaea L.) of Santa Cruz Island with contemporaneous trees in the Santa Barbara, CA area: a case study of diversity and structure in an introduced agricultural species conserved in situ

Historic populations of crop species outside their centers of origin and diversity, like the domestic olive (Olea europaea L.) in North America, are genetic resources for contemporary agriculture, including genotypes that could be readily evaluated for, and may be adapted to, local conditions. The primary goal of this study was to describe the diversity and structure of several significant, adjacent, contemporaneous historic olive plantings in central coastal California, USA with reference to the USDA ex situ Olea europaea germplasm, and test the hypothesis that physical and chronological proximity are predictive of genetic similarity in those trees. The groups studied using 14 SSR markers were dominated by a limited number of genotypes represented in the USDA collection, but also four unique cultivar genotypes not in that collection. Historical socioeconomic networks appear to have had an important influence on the source and kind of material planted. This is the first study of historic olive trees conserved in situ in North America and provides the basis for a larger regional study integrating genetic, historical and geographic data to describe the structure and diversity of remaining historic olive plantings in California.

STUDIES ON THE INHERITANCE OF POPPY (PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM L.) ALKALOIDS AND THE NEW CULTIVAR 'KORONA' ACCUMULATING HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF NARCOTINE

Breeding of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is running now basically into two directions: development of high and special alkaloid containing genotypes for the industry and selection of cultivars of minimal alkaloid content for seed consumption. The aim of our recent research has been the construction of a special industrial cultivar, accumulating elevated levels of narcotine. F 1 -F 3 progenies of the crossing 'Kheops' × 'Kek Gemona' cultivars were evaluated and the alkaloid content measured by TLC and densitometric methods. In the F 1 main alkaloids showed intermedier characteristics, while the minor ones overdominance. The features of lacking or accumulating high levels of narcotine separated already in the F 2 generations. The best individuals were detected in the accessions of 'Kek Gemona' as maternal parent. The presence of narcotine seems to be a recessive trait. Based on this study, gene interactions could be hypothesized. The best strains were improved and stabilized by Pedigree method. In 2008 a new and unique cultivar 'Korona' has been registered, containing 20-25 mg/g narcotine in the capsules.

Genetic variability of Canadian elite cultivars of summer turnip rape (Brassica rapa L.) revealed by simple sequence repeat markers

Canadian public oilseed breeding programs have played a leading role in the development of canola-quality Brassica rapa oilseed cultivars, but the genetic variability of the cultivars developed over the past 60 yr is poorly understood. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were applied to assess the genetic variability of 294 plants representing one landrace introduced from Poland ca. 1940 and nine Canadian elite B. rapa cultivars released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada since 1964. Application of 18 SSR primer pairs detected 27 likely loci on five or more linkage groups and 123 polymorphic alleles. The allelic frequencies ranged from 0.003 to 0.997 and averaged 0.262. The estimates of mean heterozygosity for these cultivars ranged from 0.126 to 0.197 and averaged 0.165. Significant decreases of SSR alleles and average dissimilarities were observed over the 60 yr of breeding effort. The proportion of total SSR variation residing among the cultivars was 10.4%; between high vs. low erucic acid cultivars 5% and between high- vs. low-glucosinate cultivars 5%. Pairwise genetic differentiation ranged from 0.025 to 0.184 and averaged 0.104. Genetic clustering of these cultivars revealed AC Sunbeam to be a genetically unique cultivar, and two distinct groups of the other nine cultivars were separated by high- vs. low-glucosinate content. Several distinct genotypes, largely derived from the landrace Polish, were identified. These findings are useful for broadening the genetic base of elite B. rapa germplasm, selecting genetically diverse genotypes for synthetic and hybrid combinations, and conserving this germplasm.Key words: Simple sequence repeat, turnip rape (summer), Brassica rapa, genetic diversity, genetic relationship, genetic structure