Using simple sequence repeats in 9 brassica complex species to assess hypertrophic curd induction

Five Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) were used to assess the relationship between inflorescence characteristics and their allelic variation in 53 Brassica oleracea and Brassica wild relatives (n = 9). Curd morphometric traits, such as weight (CW), height (CH), diameter (CD1), shape (CS) inflorescence curvature angle (CA), and its curd stem diameter (CD2), were measured. The aim of the work was to analyze the relationships among the allelic patterns of the SSRs primers utilized, and their status of homo or heterozygosity registered at each locus, as well as the inflorescence morphometric traits in order to individuate genomic regions stimulating the hypertrophy of this reproductive organ. The relationships found explain the diversity among B. oleracea complex species (n = 9) for the inflorescence size and structure, allowing important time reduction during the breeding process by crossing wild species, transferring useful resistance, and organoleptic and nutraceutical traits. The five SSRs loci were BoABI1, BoAP1, BoPLD1, BoTHL1, and PBCGSSRBo39. According to the allelic variation ascertained, we evaluated the heterozygosity index (H) for each SSR above cited. The results showed a significant interaction between the H index of the BoPLD1 gene and the inflorescence characteristics, summarized by the First Principal Component (PC1) (p-value = 0.0244); we ascertained a negative correlation between the H index and inflorescence characteristics, namely CW, CH, CD1, CD2, CA. The homozygosity BoPLD1 alelles, indicated by the H index, affect the inflorescence characteristics and broccoli and cauliflower yields

Phytochemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant properties of four Brassica wild species from Italy

In the present study, we evaluated for the first time the variability of antioxidant traits of four Brassica wild species: B. incana, B. macrocarpa, B. villosa, and B. rupestris. The content of the main water-soluble antioxidants (phenolics, ascorbic acid, and total biothiols) and the in vitro antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and superoxide anion scavenging capacity) were investigated. A total of 28 polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC/MS and quantitated by HPLC/DAD analysis. Kaempferol and quercetin derivatives were the most abundant phenolics compared to hydroxycinnamoyl gentiobiosides. In the ten populations, phenolics ranged from 163.9 to 533.9 mg/100 g dry weight (d.w.), ascorbic acid from 7.6 to 375.8 mg/100 g d.w., and total biothiols from 0.59 to 5.13 mg/100 g d.w. The different classes of phytochemicals were separated using solid-phase extraction at increasing methanol concentrations, and the antioxidant power of fractionated extracts was evaluated. The superoxide anion scavenging activity was significantly correlated to phenolics, particularly to flavonol derivatives, while DPPH was mainly related to ascorbic acid content. The present findings improve the knowledge of the phytochemical composition of Italian Brassica wild species by showing the great diversity of phytochemicals among populations and highlighting their importance as a valuable genetic resource for developing new cultivars with improved bioactive content

Evaluation of tomato rootstock in Sicilian greenhouse growing conditions

[EN] Greenhouse tomato production is one of the most important agriculture Italian vegetable production which is of interest for all the country¿s regions, focusing on southern Italy. The critical point of breeders for this crop is to obtain a high level of sustainability needed in organic farming. The aim of the present work was the evaluation of 21 genotypes of tomato rootstocks originated by several crosses aimed to transfer interesting resilience traits such as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) producing interspecific and intraspecific hybrids. The genotype `Creativo¿ F1 hybrid was chosen as a control grafted and as scion for the grafted plants. The plants were grown inside the greenhouse at single stem till the eighth truss at 3 plants m¿2 crop density and were placed following randomized blocks experimental design. Tomato genotypes were characterized for their yield traits such as the trusses weight, fruit number truss¿1, red and green fruits truss¿1 and cumulative production until the eighth truss; only eight trusses were considered for the phenotypical analysis. Fruit (longitudinal and transversal) and plant (stem and basal stem) diameters were calculated and compared. Tomato phenotyping was followed by the qualitative analysis of trusses with chromatic parameters (a*, b*, L*) and soluble solids content. The results showed significant variations among genotypes: rootstock cross BT04060 × BT00120 registered the higher yield and single fruits weight (908.28 g) followed by BT2510 × BT00250 (861.36 g) and BT02220 × BT00230 (853.29 g). The higher fruits number truss¿1 value was registered in BT2510 × BT00250 and was 12.19. The present work is included in Horizon 2020 BRESOV (Breeding for Resilient, Efficient and Sustainable Organic Vegetable production) project.The present work was funded and performed within the BRESOV H2020 project (Grant Agreement nr. 774244).Treccarichi, S.; Infurna, M.; Malgioglio, G.; Arena, D.; A. Ruffino; Prohens Tomás, J.; Branca, F. (2022). Evaluation of tomato rootstock in Sicilian greenhouse growing conditions. Acta Horticulturae. 1354:129-136. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1354.17129136135

STXBP6 Gene Mutation: A New Form of SNAREopathy Leads to Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy

Syntaxin-binding protein 6 (STXBP6), also known as amysin, is an essential component of the SNAP receptor (SNARE) complex and plays a crucial role in neuronal vesicle trafficking. Mutations in genes encoding SNARE proteins are often associated with a broad spectrum of neurological conditions defined as "SNAREopathies", including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. The present whole exome sequencing (WES) study describes, for the first time, the occurrence of developmental epileptic encephalopathy and autism spectrum disorders as a result of a de novo deletion within the STXBP6 gene. The truncated protein in the STXBP6 gene leading to a premature stop codon could negatively modulate the synaptic vesicles' exocytosis. Our research aimed to elucidate a plausible, robust correlation between STXBP6 gene deletion and the manifestation of developmental epileptic encephalopathy

Selection and breeding of tomato for organic conditions

[EN] One of the main aims of the H2020 Framework Programme BRESOV project is the development of tomato materials specifically adapted to organic agriculture. Germplasm of potential interest for organic agriculture was assembled in a core collection (CC; 233 accessions) for pre-breeding, and in a breeding set (BS; 217 accessions) for selection and breeding. Both the CC and BS have been characterized for multiple morphological, agronomic, and quality traits under organic conditions in Italy and Spain. Also, the CC and BS, and a collection of EMS mutants have been characterized for tolerance to drought and high temperature. A wide diversity was found in the materials for most traits. Most of the cultivated tomato materials of the CC and BS were also genotyped using the high-throughput ddRAD sequencing technique revealing a high genetic diversity in the collection and allowing the detection of candidate genes and associations for relevant traits under organic conditions. The screening of BS for several diseases (Phytophthora, Fusarium, TSWV, ToMV) has allowed the identification of new sources of tolerance and resistance. A selected set of materials has been screened both in Italy and in Spain under control, drought and low N fertilization conditions, and resilient materials under these conditions have been identified. Hybrids obtained between selected materials has allowed the identification of promising hybrids heterotic for yield and with high fruit quality. In addition, several backcross programmes have been undertaken in order to introduce resistance to several diseases, and advanced backcrosses with introgressed resistances have been obtained. New intraspecific and interspecific hybrids have been developed and tested as rootstocks. Some of them outperformed control rootstocks commonly used for grafting tomato. The new improved tomato materials specifically selected for organic conditions can have a dramatic impact in the production of organically grown tomato.This research has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 774244 (BRESOV project).Prohens Tomás, J.; Soler Aleixandre, S.; Tripodi, P.; Campanelli, G.; Sestili, S.; Figás-Moreno, MDR.; Casanova-Calancha, C.... (2022). Selection and breeding of tomato for organic conditions. Acta Horticulturae. 1354:95-103. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1354.1395103135