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Abstract: In this study, genetic variations among a collection of anthuriums were comparatively investigated using morphological traits and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Both morphological and AFLP-based data clustered the accessions from Anthurium andraeanum, Anthurium scherzerianum, and Anthurium clarinervium into three separate groups, with a significant though low correlation (r = 0.3) observed between the morphological and AFLP-based similarity matrices. The AFLP-based principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) divided the entire accessions into three parts, reinforcing the AFLP-based clustering. Moreover, the Bayesian-based structuring assigned the anthurium accessions to three subgroups but with 27 accessions retained in the admixed groups, probably implying the highly heterozygous genome of the investigated anthuriums. The findings of this study would add new knowledge of genetic diversity among anthuriums as well as embark on a useful beginning for a rational hybridization breeding for anthuriums in future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Little information is available about the genetic characterization of cultivated bromeliads thus far. This study was aimed to determine the level and pattern of genetic diversity and population structure for cultivated bromeliads with sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. The 11 SRAP primer combinations generated a total of 469 bands, of which 436 (92.06%) were polymorphic. The Jaccard''s similarity ranged from 0.08 to 0.87 and averaged 0.29, indicative of considerable diversity among the cultivated bromeliads. Additionally, SRAP marker was proven reliable for discriminating cultivars, hybrids, and bud sports of bromeliads. A Bayesian-based approach, together with the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), assigned the entire bromeliads to four subgroups: Neoregelia, Guzmania, Vriesea and Aechmea, well corresponding with the origin information. Within subgroups, the least level of genetic diversity was observed for Neoregelia and relatively high genetic diversities were detected in the other three subgroups. Results from this study would benefit to make use of these germplasm and also provide valuable information for later association mapping in bromeliads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bromeliads are among the most economically important potted ornamentals, however little is available about genetic variability among bromeliad cultivars or hybrids for breeding purposes. In this study, genetic relatedness among cultivars and selected hybrids of Aechmea bromeliad was investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and pedigree data. Eight AFLP primer combinations produced 1498 DNA fragments, of which 1465 (97.8%) were polymorphic. The AFLP-based genetic similarity ranged from 0.20 to 0.61 and averaged 0.33, while the corresponding pedigree-based coefficient of coancestry varied from 0 to 0.5, with an average of 0.07. This reveals large variability and genetic diversity among the investigated Aechmea bromeliads. The AFLP-based cluster analysis grouped the Aechmea bromeliads well according to their breeding years and ancestors, whereas pedigree-based cluster analysis divided the Aechmea bromeliads corresponding only to their ancestors. Additionally, the AFLP-based genetic similarity followed a normal distribution, while pedigree-based coefficient of coancestry displayed a skewed distribution. A significant though moderate correlation (r =0.35, P <0.001) and a significant linear relationship with low coefficient of determination (R 2 =0.12) were observed between the two measures. This indicates that AFLP is more effective in quantifying genetic relatedness among Aechmea bromeliads. The present study provides useful implications for the efficient conservation and utilization of bromeliad germplasm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Blue light intensifies leaf red pigmentation in plants of the cultivar Neoregelia 'Fireball' by improving anthocyanin biosynthesis and decreasing the accumulation of chlorophylls. • Lignin metabolism and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in Neoregelia are also promoted by exposure to blue light. • Neoregelia plants exposed to blue light display enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress and higher expression levels of antioxidant-related genes. • NfWRKY70 is a potential key gene involved in the blue light-induced leaf red pigmentation and oxidative tolerance. Neoregelia is a genus of attractive, eye-catching foliage plants in the family Bromeliaceae. Blue light globally regulates multiple biological processes and secondary metabolism in plants. Recently, addition of blue light to the spectrum was reported to intensify pigmentation in some ornamental pot plants. Nevertheless, how blue light influences leaf red pigmentation and oxidative stress tolerance in Neoregelia is unclear. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analysis and a series of assays related to biological, physiological, and phenotypic characteristics. We found that exposure to blue light not only inhibits chlorophyll biosynthesis and accelerates the degradation of chlorophylls, but also up-regulates several flavonoid biosynthesis genes and significantly increases the accumulation of anthocyanins in Neoregelia 'Fireball' plants. Ultimately, this response leads to the presence of pure dark red leaves. We also found that blue light enhances oxidative stress tolerance in Neoregelia by promoting the expression of antioxidant-related genes and the accumulation of more proanthocyanidins (PAs). Our results also showed that blue light plays a positive role in lignin biosynthesis by activating the transcription of lignin biosynthesis-related genes in Neoregelia plants exposed to blue light. Furthermore, co-expression network analyses of RNA-seq data indicated that NfWRKY70 may be a key gene involved in the intensified leaf red pigmentation and enhanced oxidative tolerance caused by blue light exposure. Our findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying blue light-induced leaf red pigmentation and oxidative tolerance, and offer new clues for the coordination between flavonoid and lignin biosynthesis in the plant phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite the great economic importance of bromeliads in flower production, little information is available regarding the inheritance of their horticultural traits thus far. The present study was to investigate the inheritance pattern and useful molecular markers for plant height, plant width, inflorescence length, inflorescence width, and offsets of Aechmea bromeliads. The result showed that plant height was governed by two pairs of major genes exhibiting equal additivity, plant width by one pair of major genes with additivity and partial dominance, inflorescence width by two pairs of major genes with additivity-dominance-epistasis, and offsets by two pairs of major genes with additivity-dominance, whereas no major gene was detected for inflorescence length. The heritability of the detected major genes was >73%, suggesting the possibility of selecting for these traits in an early generation. The marker-trait analysis identified 22 potential SRAP markers for the five traits. The findings of major genes and associated SRAP markers are a useful start to future QTL dissection for these traits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]