The genetic structure and mating system of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae)

Acrocomia aculeata is a perennial, fruit-producing palm tree, native to tropical forests. Its fruits have spurred interest because of their significant potential for use in the cosmetic industry and as feedstock for biofuel. In the present study, the genetic structure and mating system in Acrocomia aculeata were analyzed, using eight nuclear micro-satellite loci and samples from São Paulo and Minas Gerais states, Brazil. By means of Bayesian analysis, these populations were clustered into two or three groups. A high multilocus outcrossing rate suggests that outcrosses were predominant, although a certain degree of biparental inbreeding also occurred. Thus, although monoecious and self-compatible, there is every indication that A. aculeata bears a mixed reproductive system, with a predominance of outcrossing. Given the genetic structure revealed hereby, future conservation strategies and germplasm collecting should be focussed on sampling and preserving individuals from different clusters

Linkage and mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with angular leaf spot and powdery mildew resistance in common beans

Angular leaf spot (ALS) and powdery mildew (PWM) are two important fungi diseases causing significant yield losses in common beans. In this study, a new genetic linkage map was constructed using single sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in a segregating population derived from the AND 277 x SEA 5 cross, with 105 recombinant inbred lines. Phenotypic evaluations were performed in the greenhouse to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance by means of the composite interval mapping analysis. Four QTLs were identified for ALS resistance. The QTL ALS11AS, linked on the SNP BAR 5054, mapped on chromosome Pv11, showed the greatest effect (R2 = 26.5%) on ALS phenotypic variance. For PWM resistance, two QTLs were detected, PWM2AS and PWM11AS, on Pv2 and Pv11, explaining 7% and 66% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Both QTLs on Pv11 were mapped on the same genomic region, suggesting that it is a pleiotropic region. The present study resulted in the identification of new markers closely linked to ALS and PWM QTLs, which can be used for marker-assisted selection, fine mapping and positional cloning

Genetic diversity of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) germplasm investigated by SSR and ISSR

O pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas) é uma espécie arbórea de ampla distribuição geográfica e com qualidades que a tornam importante do ponto de vista natural, ecológico e principalmente sócio-econômico, pois seus frutos são uma valiosa fonte de óleo vegetal com potencial para produção de biodiesel, proporcionando vantagens ambientais, econômicas e sociais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade genética no germoplasma de pinhão-manso e para isto foram utilizados marcadores moleculares microssatélites e ISSR. A partir de uma biblioteca enriquecida com locos microssatélites foram desenvolvidos 18 pares de primers para a espécie, sendo estes utilizados, juntamente com 30 pares de primers SSR desenvolvidos no CBMEG, visando à caracterização e estudo da estrutura genética populacional. Os acessos dos bancos de germoplasma do CPQBA (Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas) da UNICAMP e da UFS (Universidade Federal de Sergipe) foram avaliados. O germoplasma pertencente ao CPQBA está organizado em 12 populações e o da UFS representado por 17 acessos únicos. Não foi observado polimorfismo entre as populações inviabilizando o estudo populacional. A caracterização dos grupos formados pelos acessos dos bancos de germoplasma foi realizada utilizando 14 marcadores ISSR, revelando que 86,64% da variação genética encontram-se dentro dos grupos e 13,36% entre eles. O número médio total de alelos (na) foi de 1,99 alelos por loco e o número efetivo de alelos (ne) foi de 1,42 alelos por loco. A diversidade genética de Nei (1973) indicou uma baixa diversidade genética dentro dos grupos (0,26), assim como o Índice de Shannon (I) para os acessos (0,41), considerado um baixo valor de diversidade genética. A análise bayesiana alocou todos os acessos avaliados em quatro grupos, todos os acessos apresentaram Q > 0,8. Os grupos formados não apresentaram nenhuma relação com a origem dos acessos. O índice médio de similaridade de Jaccard indicou que existem 30% de similaridade entre os grupos e a amplitude de similaridade variou de 0,23 a 0,94. O dendrograma formou os mesmos quatro grupos de acessos que o formado pela análise bayesiana, tornando ainda mais consistente os resultados obtidos na presente análise. O estudo revela a necessidade e importância de reunir o maior número possível de acessos de diferentes regiões e países para formar o banco de germoplasma da espécie viabilizando a conservação e programas de melhoramento da espécie, haja vista seu promissor potencial para produção de bicombustível.Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is a geographically widespread perennial plant species. It is ecologically important in natural communities and economically due to the oil extracted from its fruits that exhibit high potential for biodiesel production, thus, providing environmental, economical and social advantages. The current work aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity in physic nut germplasm using microsatellites and ISSR molecular markers. From a microsatelliteenriched library, 18 primer pairs were developed for the species and were used along with 30 SSR primer pairs developed at CBMEG to characterize and study the population genetic structure. Acessions from the germplasm banks at CPQBA (Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas) from UNICAMP and from UFS (Universidade Federal de Sergipe) were evaluated. The germplasm from CPQBA is organized in 12 populations whereas the accessions from UFS represent 17 soloist accessions. The polymorphism observed between the populations does not impair population genetic studies. The clusters of accessions from the germplasm Banks were characterized using 14 ISSR markers, revealing 86.64% of the genetic diversity are found within the clusters whereas between them, it corresponds to 13.36%. The total average number of alleles per locus (na) corresponded to 1.99 and the effective number of alleles (ne) was of 1.42 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity, investigated as in Nei (1973), indicated a low genetic diversity within the groups (0.26). Shannon index (I) for the accessions evidenced a low value of genetic diversity (0.41). Bayesian analyses of all investigated accessions in four groups demonstrated that all the accessions exhibit Q > 0.8. The clustering patterns did not indicated origin relationships among the accessions. Jaccard average index indicated 30% of similarity between the groups and the amplitude of similarity ranged from 0.23 to 0.94. The dendrogram analysis grouped the four clusters generated by the Bayesian analysis, confirming the consistency of the results. The current study reveals the necessity and importance of gathering as many germplasm accession as possible for the species in order to allow the establishment of conservation and breeding program strategies, considering the potential of the species for biofuel production

Linkage and mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with angular leaf spot and powdery mildew resistance in common beans

Abstract Angular leaf spot (ALS) and powdery mildew (PWM) are two important fungi diseases causing significant yield losses in common beans. In this study, a new genetic linkage map was constructed using single sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in a segregating population derived from the AND 277 x SEA 5 cross, with 105 recombinant inbred lines. Phenotypic evaluations were performed in the greenhouse to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance by means of the composite interval mapping analysis. Four QTLs were identified for ALS resistance. The QTL ALS11AS, linked on the SNP BAR 5054, mapped on chromosome Pv11, showed the greatest effect (R2 = 26.5%) on ALS phenotypic variance. For PWM resistance, two QTLs were detected, PWM2AS and PWM11AS, on Pv2 and Pv11, explaining 7% and 66% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Both QTLs on Pv11 were mapped on the same genomic region, suggesting that it is a pleiotropic region. The present study resulted in the identification of new markers closely linked to ALS and PWM QTLs, which can be used for marker-assisted selection, fine mapping and positional cloning