Genetic relationships within and among Iberian fescues (Festuca L.) based on PCR-amplified markers

The genus Festuca comprises approximately 450 species and is widely distributed around the world. The Iberian Penninsula, with more than 100 taxa colonizing very diverse habitats, is one of its main centers of diversification. This study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 91 populations of 31 taxa of Iberian fescues, based on several molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and trnL sequences). The analyses showed the paraphyletic origin of the broad-leaved (subgenus Festuca, sections Scariosae and Subbulbosae, and subgenus Schedonorus) and the fine-leaved fescues (subgenus Festuca, sections Aulaxyper, Eskia, and Festuca). Schedonorus showed a weak relationship with Lolium rigidum and appeared to be the most recent of the broad-leaved clade. Section Eskia was the most ancient and Festuca the most recent of the fine-leaved clade. Festuca and Aulaxyper were the most related sections, in concordance with their taxonomic affinities. All taxa grouped into their sections, except F. ampla and F. capillifolia (section Festuca), which appeared to be more closely related to Aulaxyper and to a new independent section, respectively. Most populations clustered at the species level, but some subspecies and varieties mixed their populations. This study demonstrated the value in combining different molecular markers to uncover hidden genetic relationships between populations of Festuca

Genetic variation and population structure of three Trifolium species

Three diploid Trifolium (Fabaceae) species, T. campestre, T.fragiferum and T. montanum, were electrophoretically assayed to elucidate the range and organization of genetic variation in relation to the mating system, reproduction mode and longevity of the species. T. campestre is an annual self-pollinated species. T.fragiferum and T. montanum are cross-pollinated perennials. The former species reproduces both sexually and vegetatively, whereas the latter relies solely on sexual reproduction. Several populations of each species collected throughout Poland were surveyed for 15 enzymes. The measures of variation included: proportion of polymorphic loci per population, average number of alleles per locus, average gene diversity (He) and genetic distance (D). To describe the organization of diversity in each species, total genetic variation per locus (Ht) was calculated and partitioned into intra-(Hs) and inter-(Dst) populational components. Both cross-pollinated species had more polymorphic loci, higher numbers of alleles per locus and higher level of diversity than self-pollinated T. campestre. Most of genetic variation of the latter species was allocated among populations unlike in T.fragiferum and T. montanum

Estimation of genetic differences of inbred lines of maize

Materiał badawczy stanowiło 8 linii wsobnych kukurydzy udostępnione przez Hodowlę Roślin „Smolice” Sp. z o.o. Linie K1653 i K2577A zostały wyhodowane w niemieckiej firmie Nordsaat (obecnie SWS), pozostałe: S160, S245, S41806A, S41324-2, S48566-3, S43523 pochodzą ze Smolic. Badania polowe przeprowadzono na polach doświadczalnych Hodowli Roślin „Smolice” w 2001 roku. W Pracowni Gromadzenia i Ochrony Roślin Krajowego Centrum Roślinnych Zasobów Genowych IHAR w Radzikowie dokonano rozdziału elektroforetycznego enzymów. Porównano występowanie pasm w poszczególnych enzymach. Wyniki posłużyły do wykonania analizy skupień metodą średniej więzi. Odległość wyrażono za pomocą kwadratu odległości Euklidesa, którego wielkość wyraża stopień genetycznego zróżnicowania linii. Obliczenia wykonano pakietem Statistica. Zastosowana analiza skupień podzieliła badane linie zgodnie z ich pochodzeniem. Obliczone współczynniki korelacji między dystansem genetycznym a efektami heterozji i swoistej zdolności kombinacyjnej mieszańców, świadczą o możliwości wykorzystania dystansu genetycznego do doboru linii do programów krzyżowań.Eight inbreed lines were investigated. Six lines were breed in Plant Breeding „Smolice” Ltd.: S160, S245, S41806A, S41324-2, S48566-3, S43523 and two in Nordsaat: K1653, K2577A. Field experiment was carried out in Smolice in 2001. Lines were studied electrophoretically in the aim at describing their mutual relationship. Statistical analysis using the unweighted pair-group average method was performed. The differences between pars of lines were expressed by the Euclidean distance square. The correlation between genetic distance of the investigated lines and heterosis or specific combining ability points to the possibility of using this method to develop maize hybrids

Physiological-biochemical parameters and characteristics of seed coat structure in lupin seeds subjected to long storage at different temperatures

Seed vigour, viability, the contents of soluble carbohydrates, total protein, albumins, and globulins, as well as seed coat structure, were analysed in yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) cv. Iryd seeds stored for 20 years at -14oC, 0oC or at room temperature (approx. +20oC). Seed storage at room temperature reduced viability (to 2%) and increased seed leachate electroconductivity. Determinations of total proteins showed that protein content was significantly reduced in seeds stored at +20oC compared to the other storage regimens. Raffinose family oligosaccharides were the main soluble carbohydrates in seeds stored at 0oC and -14oC, whereas sucrose dominated in seeds stored at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of seed surface and seed coat sections revealed appearance of an amorphic layer on the surface of seeds stored at room temperature (not observed in other seeds) and distinct shrinking of macrosclereid layer in seeds stored at -14oC. Macrosclereids layer in all seeds was 100 um thick and accounted for 60% of seed coat thickness. The obtained results suggest that for long term storage of lupin seeds at 0oC is the most advisable temperature if both costs of storage and seed storability are considered