17 research outputs found
Morphological characterization of wheat genetic resources from the Island of Madeira, Portugal
This paper presents the first comprehensive morphological characterization and identification
of the wheat populations collected on the Archipelago of Madeira and preserved at the ISOPlexis
Germplasm Bank, the University of Madeira, Funchal. Fifty-two wheat populations representing
Madeira’s Triticum diversity and a wide range of
ecological conditions were evaluated based on the
biometrical and cytometrical traits. Forty-six traits
related to plant morphology, cytological and grain
characteristics were included in a multivariate analysis. Taxonomic identification of the collected
materials revealed the presence of 3 species, 2
subspecies and 16 botanical varieties among the
Madeiran wheat germplasm. The obtained results
were confirmed by the multivariate analysis since all
accessions were grouped in clusters corresponding
also to different taxonomic levels. The detailed description of the Madeiran wheat landraces may
contribute also to the protection of the existing
Triticum diversity as well as support efforts of
conservation of landraces, proper germplasm preservation and utilization.Portuguese Foundation for the Science
and Technology (FCT, Fundac¸a˜o para a Cieˆncia e Tecnologia)
and the European Community have sponsored this work,
through the Centre of Macaronesian Studies (CEM) and the
projects POCTI no. 35003/AGR/2001 and INTERREG IIIB,
Germobanco. The authors are grateful to the Madeiran farmers
who assisted with collection of wheat samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Nutritional and mineral variability in 52 accessions of common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from Madeira Island
The Phaseolus vulgaris L. is one of the traditional and most important leguminous crops in the
Island of Madeira. The island’s bioclimatic tiers, agro-ecological environment and traditional
farming practices had a great influence on the evolution of regional bean landraces. The variabili ty of the nutritional and mineral seeds composition of 59 accessions of the Madeiran landraces,
standard and commercial varieties was evaluated. Wide ranges of variability in biochemical pa rameters were reported among the Madeiran landraces, being the best sources of protein and
mineral nutrition, according to the statistical results and literature comparative evaluation. Spe cifically, the content (g per 100 g DW) of ash ranged from 3.64 - 5.67, lipids from 0.57 - 2.86, pro tein from 18.55 - 29.69, starch from 23.40 - 52.65, soluble sugars from 2.97 - 6.84, while content of
dry matter was from 83.35 - 93.55. The seeds also contained (per 100 g DW) between 2.55 - 4.83 g
N, 0.30 - 7.50 g P, 1.30 - 2.49 g K, 0.10 - 0.18 g Mg, 4.10 - 10.00 mg Fe, 50.0 - 1.40 mg Cu, 2.20 - 5.00
mg Zn, 0.90 - 3.80 µg Mn and 0.20 - 2.40 µg B. This variability implies that the screened germplasm
could serve as a source for breeding new varieties with improved biochemical and nutritional
traits or could be highly recommended to meet specific dietary requirements. The cultivar Vagin ha Grossa (ISOP 713) revealed low carbohydrate content that could be a good food choice for di abetics, while cultivar Vermelho (ISOP 724) bean should be offered as a valuable alternative
source of protein and minerals in the local diet.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Morphological evaluation of common bean diversity on the Island of Madeira
The variability of fifty populations of
common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), representing a
wide range of ecological conditions on the Island of
Madeira, was evaluated based on morphological and
reproductive traits. Individual data of 58 traits related
to earliness, plant and tassel structure and the shape of
the ear and grain were analysed using multivariate
analysis. The populations belonging to two major
common varieties were clustered into fifteen groups by
their degree of dissimilarity, based on discriminant
analysis. The dissimilarity of these groups was con-
firmed by one way ANOVA. The racial rank of these
groups was proposed and a brief description of the
common bean landraces was presented. This work
represents the first morphological characterization and
analysis of diversity of bean germplasm from the
Archipelago of Madeira, where the traditional agricultural
practices are still keeping this Portuguese region
free from improved bean varieties. The description of
the Madeiran bean landraces allows the preservation of the existing bean biodiversity and could be used for
their registration as conservation landraces, or for
conservation and breeding purposes worldwide.The European Union has sponsored this
work through the INTERREG IIIB programme, through the project Germobanco Agrı´cola da Macarone´sia, 05/MAC/4.1/
C15. The Authors are grateful to the Madeiran farmers who
assisted with collection of bean samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Aluminium tolerance in bean traditional cultivars from Madeira
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume crop in the world, providing low-cost, high quality protein, minerals and dietary fiber for human nutrition. The crop was originated from diversity centers in America and exhibits adaptation abilities to different environmental conditions, including soil with low pH. Acid soils occupy 30% of the agro ecosystem areas in the world. In Madeira, acid Andosols and unsatured Cambisols are the dominant groups of soils. Generally, under acidic and infertile conditions, besides of H+ toxicity, soluble aluminium (Al) is the most important abiotic factor limiting plant development and crop productivity. In the field, the hidden roots are also affected and the reduction of root growth under Al stress can be clearly observed in early stages. Seedlings of fifty bean accessions from the Archipelago of Madeira were tested under controlled conditions in the presence of 50 mM Al at pH 4.4. In general, the tested germplasm appeared to be sensitive or very sensitive to Al toxicity. However, fifteen traditional cultivars clearly exhibited elevated Al-tolerance, with an average root relative elongation (RRE) exceeding 50%, while top six accessions surpassed the 60% RRE mark. The Madeira bean germplasm is a valuable resource for sustainable crop production in acid soils and it could be used as parental lines in breeding programs aimed for Al tolerance in common beans
Cereal landraces genetic resources in worldwide GeneBanks. A review
Since the dawn of agriculture, cereal landraces
have been the staples for food production worldwide, but
their use dramatically declined in the 2nd half of the last
century, replaced by modern cultivars. In most parts of the
world, landraces are one of the most threatened components
of agrobiodiversity, facing the risk of genetic erosion and
extinction. Since landraces have a tremendous potential in
the development of new cultivars adapted to changing environmental
conditions, GeneBanks holding their genetic
resources potentially play an important role in supporting sustainable agriculture. This work reviews the current
knowledge on cereal landraces maintained in GeneBanks
and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of existing
information about their taxonomy, origin, structure, threats,
sampling methodologies and conservation and GeneBanks’
documentation and management. An overview of major
collections of cereal landraces is presented, using the information
available in global metadatabase systems. This review
on winter cereal landrace conservation focuses on: (1)
traditional role of GeneBanks is evolving beyond their original
purpose to conserve plant materials for breeding programmes.
Today’s GeneBank users are interested in
landraces’ history, agro-ecology and traditional knowledge
associated with their use, in addition to germplasm traits. (2)
GeneBanks therefore need to actively share their germplasm
collections’ information using different channels, to promote
unlimited and effective use of these materials for the
further development of sustainable agriculture. (3) Access to
information on the 7.4 million accessions conserved in
GeneBanks worldwide, of which cereal accessions account
for nearly 45 %, particularly information on cereal landraces
(24 % of wheat, 23 % of barley, 14 % of oats and 29 % of
rye accessions), is often not easily available to potential
users, mainly due to the lack of consistent or compatible
documentation systems, their structure and registration. (4)
Enhancing the sustainable use of landraces maintained in
germplasm collections through the effective application of
recent advances in landrace knowledge (origin, structure
and traits) and documentation using the internet tools and
data providing networks, including the use of molecular and
biotechnological tools for the material screening and detection
of agronomic traits. (5) Cereal landraces cannot be
exclusively conserved as seed samples maintained under
ex situ conditions in GeneBanks. The enormous contribution
of farmers in maintaining the crop and landraces diversity is recognised. Sharing of benefits and raising
awareness of the value of cereal landraces are the most
effective ways to promote their conservation and to ensure
their continued availability and sustainable use. (6)
Evaluation of costs and economic benefits attributed to
sustainable use of cereal landraces conserved in the
GeneBanks requires comprehensive studies conducted on a
case-by-case basis, that take into consideration species/crop
resources, conservation conditions and quality and
GeneBank location and functions.This work was support by the European
Community, through the INTERREG IIIB and MAC programmes,
research projects Germobanco Agrícola da Macaronesia and
AGRICOMAC. This paper was edited by Olga Spellman (Bioversity
International)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Evidences of organic acids exudation in aluminium stress responses of two Madeiran wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces
Two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Madeiran landraces were subjected to 100 μM and
200 μM of aluminium (Al) in hydroponic culture,
assessing the organic acid exudation role in plant’s
responses to this metal. Samples of initial landrace
populations (F0), F3 and haplodiploid lines (DH) were
evaluated using standard tests: eriochrome cyanine R
staining, root elongation and callose accumulation in
roots. Root exudates were obtained to determine if
the accumulation of malic and citric acids in hydroponic medium was a response to Al exposure.
Additionally, the presence of ALMT1 gene was
determined using five microsatellite markers. Standard tests confirmed that ISOP 76 was Al tolerant and
ISOP 239, Al susceptible. ISOP 76, in the presence of
100 μM Al, exuded substantially more malic acid
(12.87 to 43.33 mg/L), than ISOP 239 (3.65 to
7.72 mg/L). The levels of both organic acid exudation
were substantially lower in ISOP 239 than in the
ISOP 76. In the presence of 200 μM Al, ISOP 76 F0
shows a higher root elongation ratio (better tolerates
Al), but the DH line was the one that exuded higher
content of malic acid. Different gene alleles and
promoters were detected in both landraces. Molecular
differences could explain the observed dissimilarity
in organic acid exudation response to Al stress.The authors are grateful to the Madeiran
farmers providing samples of wheat landraces, and to all staff
of CGR ISOPlexis Gene bank and of the Department of
Biological Sciences of Alberta University for support and
access to laboratory facilities. This work got the funding
support from the programs INTERREG III-B, contract
05/MAC/4.1/C15 and Madeira PO 14-20, contract CASBio,
refª. M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000011.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Identification of aluminum resistant genotypes among Madeiran regional wheats
Forty-eight genotypes representing wheat diversity from the Island of
Madeira were screened for resistance to aluminum (Al) in nutrient
solution. Seeds of wheat used in the experiments were obtained from
local farmers. The soil pH and content of ionic Al of plots cultivated with wheat were analyzed. The pH of topsoils varied between 3.83 and 6.59.
The amount of ionic Al in soil samples varied between 0.38 and 1.36
cmol Al3 + per kg of soil and was positively correlated with the altitude
of a plot. Eriochrome cyanine staining was used to evaluate the effect of
Al ions on the root elongation. Seventy-two hour exposure of 3-day-old
seedlings to 100 and 200 mM Al in nutrient solution revealed a high
number of Al resistant genotypes among wheat germplasm. After
withdrawal of Al stress, survival and root regrowth was observed in 28
and 23 genotypes screened at 100 and 200 mM Al in nutrient solution,
respectively. Enhanced resistance to Al among Madeiran genotypes was
associated with the amount of ionic Al in the soils. Complexity and
various patterns of responses of tested cultivars to Al stress may suggest
that Madeiran germplasm could be a valuable source of genes controlling
Al resistance for conventional breeding programs and for studies of
molecular bases of mechanisms of Al resistance.Portuguese Foundation for the Science and Technology (FCT, Fundac¸o
para a Cieˆncia e Tecnologia) has sponsored this work, through the Centre of
Biological and Geological Sciences (C.C.B.G.) and the project POCTI/no.
33005/AGR/1999. The authors are also grateful to the Madeiran Centre of
Science and Technology (CITMA) for financial support. Acknowledgements are due to Mr. Roge´rio Correia and Juan Silva for the technical
assistance in conducting the laboratory and fieldwork and to Dr. Andrzej
Aniol for valuable advice during preparation of this manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Genetic variability of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in bread wheat from continental Portugal, Madeira and Canary Islands
The genetic variability of high molecular
weight glutenin subunits (HMWGS) composition at
the Glu-1 loci in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
was studied electrophoretically using the SDS–PAGE
in 3,470 individuals representing 159 populations
originated from the Canary Islands (Spain), the
Archipelago of Madeira (Portugal) and the continental
Portugal. A total of 25 alleles were detected, resulting
in 69 different allele combinations. The geographical
distribution of the high molecular weight glutenin
alleles confirms historical data regarding circulation of wheat germplasm between the Iberian Peninsula and
Madeira and between Madeira and the Canary Islands
and vice versa.This research was supported by the
European Community through the project AGRICOMAC and
GERMOBANCO INTERREG III-B. We thank to Bank of
Germplasm INIA (CRF, Alcala´ de Henares, Spain), to Maria
Teresa Carvalho e Vasconcelos from Instituto Superior de
Agronomia (Lisbon) and the National Small Grain Collection
(Aberdeen, USA) for supplying the wheat accessions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio