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Xanthium sibiricum has been used widely in Chinese medicine for many years. Although of medicinal value, some species in the Xanthium are reported to be toxic and thus correct identification is essential. Whereas previous identification methods based on molecular characteristics are insufficient for in-depth authentication, chloroplast genome sequences provide more information that can assist in genome-wide evolutionary research. In this study, we sequenced complete chloroplast (cp) genome of X. sibiricum using next-generation sequencing technology and the complete sequence was deposited in Genbank with the accession number MH473582. This is the first reported sequence for the complete cp genome of Xanthium. The complete X. sibiricum cp genome is 151,897 bp in length, comprising one pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,905 bp, separated by one small single copy region (SSC; 17,900 bp) and one large single copy region (LSC; 84,187 bp). The genome contains 115 unique genes, which code for 81 proteins, four rRNAs and 30 tRNAs. All four rRNA genes and seven tRNA genes, ycf15, ycf2, rpl2, rps12, rpl23, ndhB and rps7, are duplicated in the IR regions. The X. sibiricum cp genome has 40 repeat sequences and 59 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Both Maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) trees provide very strong bootstrap support (100%) for the sister relationship of X. sibiricum with Ambrosia in the subtribe Ambrosiinae. Our study provides molecular information for further studies with which to identify X. sibiricum among closely related species and other angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have produced DNA barcodes for Finnish plant taxa. In this study, we specifically report the barcoding success for herbarium materials varying widely in age, also paying attention on success rate variation and genetic distances among different plant families. Additionally, we investigated whether the level of intraspecific variation differs between native and introduced species. The specimens had been collected between years 1867 and 2013. Among all studied specimens, the average success rates for any barcode (matK or rbcL), rbcL, matK and both barcodes equaled 81, 79, 55 and 53%, respectively, and among species (at least one specimen per species barcoded successfully) 95, 95, 74 and 73%, respectively. We found significant age effects on the barcoding success, the greatest decline being visible in over 100-year-old samples. Plant families showed differences in overall success rates and sample age effects, as well as in intraspecific and interspecific variation levels, while the average level of intraspecific variation appeared similar among native and introduced species. Besides being valuable for the identification of species, DNA barcoding with sufficient sampling is also a tool to investigate specific evolutionary questions, such as biogeographic patterns or the adaptive capacity of invasive and other alien plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opposite modes of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) inheritance were found to operate in the reciprocal crossings of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain dwarf pine ( Pinus mugo Turra). The crossings were found to be partially compatible. In P. sylvestris × P. mugo crossing, the paternal transmission of cpDNA to the offspring takes place corroborating the generally acknowledged concept of the paternal cpDNA inheritance in gymnosperms. On the contrary, in P. mugo × P. sylvestris crossing the seed progeny exhibited P. mugo haplotype of the mother tree deviating conspicuously from the above concept. In the open pollination offspring of the putatively hybrid individuals of the Scots and mountain dwarf pines, a biparental inheritance of cpDNA was revealed in mother tree with P. mugo haplotype indicating a loosened control of the maternal inheritance of cpDNA in the putative hybrids. Implications and impacts of this finding for further studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holotype of Galerina saxicola Svrček, a never revised species described from the Czech Republic in 1994, was studied in detail. Due to its poor state and the impossibility to obtain DNA data, we fixed its taxonomic position by designating an epitype using recent material from the type locality. The species proved to be conspecific with Norwegian and Czech collections of Galerina stordalii A.H.Sm., both morphologically and molecularly. Full synonymy and diagnostic characters of G. stordalii are provided, its morphological and ecological variability is discussed, and information on type specimens is corrected. Our collections document that G. stordalii has a broader ecological amplitude than thought before, living not only on Sphagnum and peat in boreal and arctic-alpine habitats like bogs and snow beds, but also among mosses in boggy spruce forests, on decaying conifer trunks in old-growth forests and on moist sandstone rocks in a river canyon under the influence of climatic inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 82 genera recognized for Bignoniaceae are organized in eight major tribes, Jacarandeae, Tourrettieae, Tecomeae, Coleeae, Crescentiae, Oroxyleae, Catalpeae and Bignonieae. In addition, a monophyletic group, Crescentiina, including the Tabebuia alliance and the Paleotropical clade is recognized. The Tabebuia alliance, endemic to the Neotropics, includes c. 14 genera of trees and shrubs and is comprised of c. 147 species mainly of the genera Tabebuia and Handroanthus. We measured the nuclear DNA contents of 19 Bignoniaceae species to address genome size and chromosome number evolution of the Tabebuia alliance. Nuclear DNA content was estimated using flow cytometry and chromosome counts were performed using propidium iodide-stained metaphase cells. We also obtained data for three different Bignoniaceae species from the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew Plant DNA C-values database. We obtained the phylogenetic tree of analysed species from published data and used independent phylogenetic contrast to correlate chromosome number and 1C DNA content. An almost threefold range of variation in nuclear DNA content was observed among the 22 Bignoniaceae species that could only partially be explained by the occurrence of polyploidy. We found no significant correlation between chromosome number and DNA content among the analysed species. Our results suggest that both increases and decreases of genome size occurred in the evolution of the analysed Bignoniaceae Juss. species, with a large variation among Tabebuia alliance species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little attention has been paid so far to the genetic legacy of the oceanic-continental gradient across Europe. Due to this gradient, steppe regions become more extensive and mesic environments become more scattered towards the East. A well-suited system to study the impact of this gradient on lineage differentiation is the temperate mesophilic plant Erythronium dens- canis (Liliaceae), which is widespread in southern Europe with a distribution gap in the Pannonian Plain. Moreover, the large disjunction between E. dens- canis and its sister species E. caucasicum coincides with the Pontic steppe region. By applying range-wide sampling of E. dens- canis and limited sampling of E. caucasicum, we explored their phylogeography using the plastid regions rpl32- trnL and rps15- ycf1. Three major phylogroups were identified: a Caucasian lineage, a highly structured and narrowly distributed Transylvanian lineage, and a more homogenous and widely distributed 'non-Transylvanian' lineage. Apparently, both physiographic (mountain) and climatic (steppe) barriers have caused allopatric differentiation in European Erythronium. The Southern Carpathians constitute a latitudinal barrier and the Pannonian Plain a longitudinal barrier between the Transylvanian and 'non-Transylvanian' lineages of E. dens- canis. The eastern Carpathian Basin likely functioned as a combination of cryptic eastern (mesic) and cryptic northern refugia for E. dens- canis during glacial periods. The Eastern Carpathians and particularly the Pontic steppe regions acted as a longitudinal barrier between E. dens- canis and E. caucasicum. Steppe-dominated gaps in the distribution range of Erythronium are mirrored by genetic discontinuities along longitudes; this highlights the important role of the oceanic-continental gradient throughout Europe for lineage differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogeographic analysis provides insights into the micro-evolutionary mechanisms driving recent radiations. Here we conducted a phylogeographic analysis of the Iberian clade of Linaria subsect. Versicolores. This lineage includes eight species and subspecies endemic or subendemic to the Iberian Peninsula that diversified in the Quaternary. We obtained 159 sequences of three plastid DNA regions from 53 individuals of the study group representing all recognized taxa. Phylogenetic, haplotype network, dating and population genetic analyses were conducted. In addition, the radiation hypothesis (common ancestry and rapid speciation) was tested. The results revealed two major clades that diverged in the Pleistocene. Low taxonomic signal of plastid DNA sequences was found as a result of rapid diversification. Indeed, the study group is herein described as an evolutionary radiation because of its common ancestry and diversification rates in line with those of other recent plant radiations. Interestingly, a high geographic structure of plastid DNA lineages was revealed, with a major genetic discontinuity separating south-eastern populations from those of the rest of Iberia. Based on dating results, we rule out a marine barrier as the cause behind this discontinuity, and hypothesize a role of edaphic specialization in differentiation of the two major clades. These results provide relevant information on the evolutionary dynamics of recent plant radiations in the western Mediterranean hotspot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the chromosome number and DNA amount of accessions of Psidium sp. (araça tree, used as rootstocks) and accessions of P. guajava (guava tree) resistant/susceptible to M. enterolobii, which holds some morphophysiological affinity and which could enable their use as rootstocks compatible with commercial varieties of guava. Metaphase chromosomes were obtained by the squash technique and stained with 2 % Giemsa. The determination of DNA amount was done by flow cytometry using Mary buffer. The intraspecific variation in DNA amount (2C) was of the order of 9x, with 2 n = 22 observed in only one species of P. guajava. The other species presented variations in the ploidy level in relation to the basic chromosome number x = 11, including the occurrence of polyploidy, cytotypes and disploidy. In some species, the interspecific variation of 2C showed a direct relationship with the ploidy level. Our data confirm that variations in the number of chromosome and in ploidy level are important events to Psidium and can support the understanding of the incompatibility of the graft on rootstocks of guava and araça trees resistant to the nematode M. enterolobii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium nobile Lindl., is an orchid species of immense biopharmaceutical and horticultural importance. The knowledge of its existent genetic variations within wild accessions is crucial for formulation of sustainable utilization strategies. It is distributed in a large landscape area and can grow at altitudes ranging from 800 to 2,000 m. Given that Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants, reports on their existing genetic diversity are extremely limited. Molecular study on D. nobile can provide valuable information about the genetic diversity level and genetic relatedness of this important medicinal orchid species. Knowledge of genetic structure of a species also provides resources of a species with its current feature and future evolutionary potential. The genetic structure of D. nobile from Northeast India was investigated using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD).The PIC value of RAPD primers was 0.74 and Rp values ranged between 6.80 and 13.23. Overall the Shannon Index, Global coefficient of genetic differentiation ( G), showed that relative genetic diversity of the populations was fairly high. However, the low value of gene flow ( Nm = 0.27) was revealed by the RAPD marker. The results of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variation amongst the populations was significantly higher than within the populations. A combination of UPGMA and STRUCTURE analysis was employed to estimate the genetic relationships of D. nobile germplasm; interestingly, both the methods presented similar grouping pattern with few differences. Results revealed that 60 individuals belonging to six natural populations in Northeast India were clustered into two major groups. The data represented in this study suggested that the RAPD method was a valuable tool for estimation of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness of the D. nobile germplasm. The present findings are useful outcomes for germplasm conservation and formulation of new breeding strategies for this extremely important medicinal orchid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Dyckia (Bromeliaceae) comprises more than 150 terrestrial or epilithic species with a strongly xeromorphic habit. Most of its members belong to the azonal rock vegetation of Neotropical savannas and forests of Brazil and adjacent countries. Dyckia is relatively species-rich compared with its closest relatives Encholirium (27 species) and Deuterocohnia (17 species). Here, we present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Dyckia using DNA sequence data from six plastid loci ( matK gene, rps16 intron, petD intron, rpl32- trnL, rps16- trnK and trnD- trnT) and a portion of the nuclear gene phyC. A total of 124 accessions were included, corresponding to 79 taxa from six genera. Phylogenetic trees were generated using parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian methods. DNA sequence variation among Dyckia species turned out to be extremely low, and phylogenies were poorly resolved. The monophyly of Dyckia is supported, whereas evidence is provided that Encholirium is paraphyletic. Based on a dated plastid DNA tree, Dyckia experienced a recent radiation starting around 2.9 million years ago. Four major clades could be identified that roughly correspond to the geographic origin of the samples. A parsimony network based on plastid DNA haplotypes shows a star-like pattern, indicating recent range expansions. Our data are compatible with a scenario where Dyckia and Encholirium diverged in northeastern Brazil, whereas one lineage of Dyckia dispersed to southern Brazil from where a rapid colonization of suitable habitats was initiated. We discuss our results in relation to species delimitation in Dyckia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pisum sativum was one of the first plants for which the mitotic karyotype was recognized and the karyogram assembled. These achievements were required owing to the physical mapping of P. sativum, providing data for evolutionary approaches and breeding programs. In spite of significant advances, precise morphometric characterization of chromosomes and karyogram assembly of P. sativum have become a topical problem. The present study proposes an unambiguous classification for the chromosomes of P. sativum, based on classical cytogenetic rules and chromosomal DNA amount. Cytogenetic procedure yielded mitotic cells showing morphologically preserved and stoichiometrically stained chromosomes. Twelve mitotic cells were selected, and the mean values for total, short- and long-arm lengths and DNA amount were measured for each chromosome. Chromosomal DNA amount fully correlated with total chromosome length, whose value proportionally decreases with the amount of DNA. Considering these data, all seven chromosomes could be unambiguously identified, yielding a new cytogenetic classification for P. sativum chromosomes. Moreover, the chromosome pairs were ordered according to the classical cytogenetic rule for assembly of karyograms. Since P. sativum is considered a model plant, it was possible to correlate the newly outlined karyotype with other cytogenetic data and linkage groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large intergenic spacer (IGS) region of rDNA is a valuable DNA sequence because it contains the signals for transcription and processing of rRNAs. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete nucleotide of rDNA IGS region of pomegranate for the first time. This IGS sequence was 3,712 bp in length with GC content of 67.8 %. The sequence analysis indicated that the spacer could be divided into three main regions: a central repetitive region and two flanking unique domains on on both sides of the central area. Central region is composed of two repeat families (A and B), and the third region contained two short direct repeats (C1 and C2). By comparisons with the IGS sequence of other plant species and computer-aided searches, we determined the putative transcription initiation and termination sites, and the large number of methylable sites. The presence of some conserved motifs in this region may play an important role in regulation of rRNA transcription. Taken together, the pomegranate IGS revealed the complex structure. However, its organization and structure are similar to most other rDNA spacers studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sawtooth oak ( Quercus acutissima) is a predominant tree species in the deciduous broad-leaved forest in China. It distributes in a large landscape area and can disperse in various ecology types. Molecular study on sawtooth oak can provide valuable information about the genetic diversity level and genetic relatedness on this important tree species. Insight into the genetic structure also provides resources of a species with its current feature and future evolutionary potential. The genetic structure of sawtooth oak was investigated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Twelve RAPD markers were used to assess genetic diversity of 408 individuals from 17 provenances enveloping most of the current distribution area of sawtooth oak. A total of 66 amplification products were detected, of which 49 bands (74.24 %) were polymorphic. Nei’s gene diversity, 0.2409, indicated a relatively high level of genetic variation in sawtooth oak germplasm. Analysis of molecular variance showed that most of the genetic diversity (87 %) was allocated within provenances. A combination of UPGMA dendrogram and STRUCTURE analysis was employed to estimate the genetic relationships of sawtooth oak germplasm; interestingly, the two methods presented similar grouping pattern with few discrepancies. Results revealed that 16 out of 17 provenances were clustered into one group, while the other 1 (LQ provenance) constituted a separate cluster. The data presented in this study suggested that the RAPD method was a valuable tool for estimation of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness of sawtooth oak germplasm. The present study also gave useful implications for germplasm conservation and new cultivar development for this promising energy tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocussativus L. is a sterile species (3 n) whose origin has not been yet clarified. A lot of morphological studies supported the theory that it would have been originated from the evolution, or the hybridization, of other Crocus exemplars, especially C. thomasii, C. hadriaticus and C. cartwrightianus. Crocus sativus stigmas are saffron raw source but, because of their high economic value, sometimes this spice is adulterated. By the application of the DNA barcode technique, we analyzed different Crocus species genomes and we partially clarified some aspects of the phylogeny of this genus: in particular, C. sativus possible genetic derivation was elucidated. Our results also showed that different C. sativus species might have evolved by independent events, probably due to several geographical pressures. We demonstrated that barcoding method, usually adopted for interspecific taxonomic identification, could be also applied to intraspecific and population studies. Finally, we proposed this molecular approach as scientific tool able to discriminate and certificate saffron authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dianthus polylepis complex consists of two already known endemic species, Dianthus polylepis and D. binaludensis, in Khorassan-Kopetdagh floristic province. The taxonomic position of these species has long been debated. The aim of the present study is to shed light on the evolutionary relationships of the members of the complex using morphological and molecular data. In morphological study, firstly, 56 vegetative and floral characters were measured on 33 specimens of the both species. Multivariate analyses were performed on 25 (out of 56) significantly discriminating morphological traits. In molecular study, we sequenced alleles obtained from a region between 2nd and 6th exons of the gene coding for the enzyme dihydroflavonol 4-reductase copy1 (DFR1). Morphological results show that most of a priori identified accessions were not grouped in a posteriori classification. It is difficult to discriminate D. polylepis from D. binaludensis in morphological continuum among the accessions. Results obtained from the molecular data indicated no monophyly for the members of the D. polylepis complex. Consistency between the morphological and molecular results shows that D. polylepis and D. binaludensis were not morphologically and molecularly well differentiated. Therefore, we propose a new combination as D. polylepis subsp. binaludensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almonds and peaches are among the most economically important fruit crops in subtropical and temperate regions. Questions regarding the origin and domestication of the crop species, interspecific relationships, and evolutionary patterns of fruits have remained unanswered due to the lack of phylogenetic data of Prunus subgenus Amygdalus, in which both almond and peach are classified. Twenty-two species of subg. Amygdalus were included in phylogenetic analyses of plastid ndhF- rpl32, rpL16, trnH- psbA, trnL- trnF, trnQ- 5′ rps16, and trnS- trnG and nuclear s6pdh genes to investigate the circumscription of subg. Amygdalus, phylogenetic relationships among the species, and implication for mesocarp and endocarp evolution. Prunus subg. Amygdalus is best circumscribed to include both almonds and peaches, comprising two sections, Amygdalus and Persica. Species traditionally placed close to almonds, such as P. tenella, P. petunnikowii, P. triloba, and P. pedunculata, should be excluded from subg. Amygdalus. Characteristics used to diagnose subg. Amygdalus, such as dry, splitting mesocarp and the ornamentation of endocarp evolved multiple times in Prunus; thus classification based solely on these morphological characters produces a taxonomic scheme that might not represent common ancestry. A dry, splitting mesocarp is likely to be ancestral for the common ancestor of subg. Amygdalus, and the fleshy, non-splitting mesocarp found in peaches was derived from the dry, splitting mesocarp, presumably by domestication and selection for a fleshy fruit in China. Very low genetic divergence among cultivated almond and its close relatives might be associated with gene flow and/or rapid speciation within the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have proposed a monophyletic circumscription of Filago and a new subgeneric treatment for this genus. The aim of this study was to analyse the nuclear genome size in a phylogenetic framework in order to evaluate the systematic significance of this trait to provide insights into the dynamics of genome size evolution and to assess relationships among DNA content, specific life and ecological features within the study group. A holoploid genome size of 76 samples corresponding to 27 taxa was determined using flow cytometry, which represents the first estimates of genome size in Bombycilaena, Filago, Ifloga and Logfia. Chromosome counts were performed for six species. Parsimony and Bayesian analysis of ITS, ETS and rpl32- trnL intergenic spacer sequence data were used to construct molecular phylogenetic trees. The evolution of genome size was investigated troughout the Brownian motion model with the three scaling parameters λ, κ and δ. The mean 2 C-value in the Filago group is relatively low (1.3644 ± 0.0079 pg) and homogeneous among species. A high degree of congruence was found between genome size distribution and the major phylogenetic lineages obtained. The generally accepted assumption that annual, ephemeral and autogamous species show low genome sizes was confirmed. Also the relatively high DNA contents found for a couple of species could be correlated with their highly specific ecological requirements. Phylogeny seems to represent the most important factor explaining the pattern of DNA amount variation in the Filago group. The DNA amount does not seem to be strongly influenced by selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent chromosome banding and measurements of nuclear DNA content by image cytometry of Feulgen-stained cells were performed in one sample each of eight diploid (2 n = 24) species of Solanum: S. endoadenium, S. argentinum, S. pseudocapsicum, S. atropurpureum, S. elaeagnifolium, S. sisymbriifolium, S. chenopodioides, and S. palustre. The species studied could be distinguished by heterochromatin amount, banding patterns, and genome size. They exhibited only GC-rich heterochromatin and showed a comparatively low heterochromatin amount (expressed as percentage of haplotype karyotype length), ranging from 2.10 in S. argentinum to 8.37 in S. chenopodioides. Genome size displayed significant variation between species, with 1C-values ranging from 0.75 pg (735 Mbp) in S. palustre to 1.79 pg (1,754 Mbp) in S. sisymbriifolium. No significant correlation between genome size and heterochromatin amount was observed, but intrachromosomal asymmetry index ( A) was negative and significantly correlated with heterochromatin amount. DNA content was positively and significantly correlated with karyotype length. DNA C-value distribution in the genus as well as karyotype affinities and relationships between species are discussed in relation to different infrageneric classifications of Solanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome size of 265 plants and the GC content of 126 plants from 63 populations of the Cyanus triumfetti and Cyanus montanus groups, collected across the Carpathians, Pannonia, Bohemian Massif, and Western and Dinaric Alps were determined by PI and DAPI flow cytometry. Variation of the nuclear DNA content among homoploid species, and intraspecific and interpopulation variation were confirmed in simultaneous analyses. The 2 C-value at the diploid level (the C. triumfetti group) varied from 2.53 for Cyanus dominii subsp. sokolensis to 3.06 pg for C. triumfetti s.s. (1.21-fold range). At the tetraploid level (the C. montanus group), the 2 C-value varied from 5.19 for Cyanus mollis to 5.84 pg for C. montanus (1.13-fold range). High intraspecific and interpopulation variation in the amount of nuclear DNA in the C. triumfetti group correlates with the extensive morphological variation found in this group. Significant between-species differences in genome size indicate that this attribute may be used as a supportive taxonomic marker for both of the groups studied. The GC content varied by 2.93 %, from 39.46 % for ' Cyanus axillaris' to 40.61 % for Cyanus adscendens; this character is of no value for taxonomic purposes. Genome size of the studied populations is significantly higher in southern parts of the distribution area and at higher elevations. Plants with smaller genomes tend to occur in dry areas at low altitudes with high diurnal and annual temperature oscillations. The GC content of the populations studied is significantly correlated with longitude, increasing from east to west; and plants with GC-rich genomes are concentrated in the coldest areas with low minimum temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silene ciliata Poiret is a small perennial that presents several ploidy levels and inhabits the mountain ranges of the European Mediterranean basin. Recent studies have shown evidence of local adaptation in populations located across an altitudinal gradient in Sierra de Guadarrama (Central Spain) at the species' southernmost distribution limit. In this study, we assessed whether the existence of local adaptation in these populations was related to differences in karyological features (ploidy level or chromosome number modification) or in nuclear DNA amount. Optical microscope (phase contrast and epifluorescence after DAPI staining) and flow cytometry were used to estimate the ploidy level and genome size of several family lines in three populations across the altitude gradient. With a sampling three times higher than usual in genome size assessments, all individuals showed a constant diploid set (2 n = 24), so that polyploidy or other chromosome number modifications were discarded. The small genome size found (mean ± SD; 2C = 1.76 ± 0.06 pg) was within the range of those found in other Silene species. Significant differences in genome size were found when the three populations of S. ciliata were compared. The largest genome size found at the intermediate population may be associated to lower environmental stress at the mid elevation, in line with the recent studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent and significance of intraspecific genome size variation were analysed in quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a pseudocereal important for human consumption in the Andean region of South America. Flow cytometry, with propidium iodide as the DNA stain, was used to estimate the genome size of 20 quinoa accessions from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and the USA. Limited genome size variation was found among the analysed accessions. The differences between the accessions were statistically significant but the maximum inter-accession difference between the populations with the largest and the smallest genome reached only 5.9%. The largest genome was found in population C4 from Chile (mean 3.077 pg/2C) and the smallest in the Peruvian population P2 (mean 2.905 pg/2C). The variation was not correlated with collection site; however, the quinoa accessions analysed in this study belonged to three distinct geographical groups: northern highland, southern highland and lowland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfortunately in page 116, second paragraph, the sentence that starts with 'Other exceptions include...' was incorrectly published. The complete correct sentence is given below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]