Search

The growing interest in maize landraces over the past two decades has led to the need to characterize the Italian maize germplasm. In Italy, hundreds of maize landraces have been developed, but only a few of them have been genetically characterized, and even fewer are currently employed in agriculture or for breeding purposes. In the present study, 13 maize landraces of the west Emilia-Romagna region were morphologically and genetically characterized. These accessions were sampled in 1954 from three provinces, Modena, Parma, and Piacenza, during the characterization project of Italian maize landraces. The morphological characterization of these 13 accessions was performed according to the UPOV protocol CPVO/TP2/3, examining 34 phenotypic traits. A total of 820 individuals were genotyped with 10 SSR markers. The genetic characterization revealed 74 different alleles, a FST mean value of 0.13, and a Nm mean of 1.73 over all loci. Moreover, AMOVA analysis disclosed a low degree of differentiation among accessions, with only 13% of genetic variability found between populations, supporting PCoA analysis results, where the first two coordinates explained only 16% of variability. Structure analysis, supported by PCoA, showed that only four accessions were clearly distinguished for both K = 4 and 6. Italian landraces can be useful resources to be employed in maize breeding programs for the development of new varieties, adapted to different environmental conditions, in order to increase crop resilience and expand the maize cultivation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweet chestnut ( Castanea sativa Mill.) is subject to the progressive disappearance of its traditional chestnut groves. In the northern part of Italy, where distribution of the sweet chestnut is fragmented, many local varieties continue to be identified mostly by oral tradition. We characterised by SSRs eleven historically recognised varieties of sweet chestnut in the area surrounding Lake Como, with the goal of giving a genetic basis to the traditional classification. We performed classical analysis about differentiation and used Bayesian approaches to detect population structure and to reconstruct demography. The results revealed that historical and genetic classifications are loosely linked when chestnut fruits are just "castagne", that is, normal fruits, but increasingly overlap where "marroni" (the most prized fruits) are concerned. Bayesian classification allowed us to identify a homogeneous gene cluster not recognised in the traditional assessment of the varieties and to reconstruct possible routes used for the propagation of sweet chestnut. We also reconstructed ancestral relationships between the different gene pools involved and dated ancestral lineages whose results fit with palynological data. We suggest that conservation strategies based on a genetic evaluation of the resource should also rely on traditional cultural heritage, which could reveal new sources of germplasm.

This paper describes the seismological analyses performed within the framework of the seismic microzonation study for the reconstruction of 138 municipalities damaged by the 2016–2017 sequence in Central Italy. Many waveforms were recorded over approximately 15 years at approximately 180 instrumented sites equipped with permanent or temporary stations in an area that includes all the damaged localities. Site response was assessed using earthquake and noise recordings at the selected stations through different parameters, such as spectral amplification curves, fundamental resonance frequencies, site-specific response spectra, and average amplification factors. The present study was a collaboration of many different institutions under the coordination of the Italian Center for Seismic Microzonation and its applications. The results were homogenized and gathered into site-specific forms, which represent the main deliverable for the benefit of Italian Civil Protection. It is remarkable that the bulk of this study was performed in a very short period (approximately 2 months) to provide quantitative information for detailed microzonation and future reconstruction of the damaged municipalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus pubescens s.l. is a group of taxonomically intricate and highly debated deciduous white oaks widely distributed in southern Europe. The Apulia region occupies the south-easternmost part of the Italian Peninsula; the land-use pattern is based on extensive agricultural systems and only 10% is covered by forests that are mainly composed of oak woods. It is the region in Italy showing the highest number of oak species, among which four putative species of the Quercus pubescens group, have been reported in floras and checklists with uncertain taxonomic value because of the overlapping of diagnostic characters. In this paper, we carried out a molecular analysis on natural populations of Q. pubescens s.l. distributed throughout the Apulia region. Individuals from 24 pubescent oak populations were sampled and each tree was genotyped at 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Overall, the average expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.629, and the allelic richness (Ar) ranged between 2.130 and 7.187. No differentiation was observed among the populations investigated, and the genetic differentiation coefficient (FST) was 0.036. Gene flow among populations was found to be relatively high (Nm = 6.664). From a taxonomic point of view, the possibility of the coexistence of more than one species among the Apulian pubescent oaks reported in the taxonomic and syntaxonomic literature is not supported by the results of this molecular analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identification of SSR and SNP molecular markers for chestnut genetic traceability. • SSR markers are helpful in tracing cultivars starting from somatic tissues. • The chloroplast is an organelle that is maternal inherited. Chloroplast SNP molecular markers can be helpful in identifying the maternal cultivar in seed-based processed products. • HRM can be used as a reliable approach for SNP genotyping. Castanea sativa is one of the most appreciated species in Italy, due to timber and fruit quality; nuts are usually intended for fresh consumption, but also for the production of industrial foods. The demand for an efficient traceability system to identify Castanea species and cultivars along the supply chain, from the chestnut orchard to the processed product, is crucial to protect consumers and producers from frauds. Here we present a traceability protocol to identify the species of the Castanea genus and trace the cultivars of Castanea sativa , based on DNA markers (SSRs and SNPs) analyses. Microsatellites were applied to identify the cultivar in plant material (leaves, seed, and episperm) and processed food (creams, beverages, flour, and cookies). Although SSRs made it possible to trace cultivar starting from somatic tissues (e.g.: leaves), the presence of foreign paternal DNA from pollenizer plants in seed and processed food, interferes with the identification of the maternal one. To overcome this issue, we Illumina sequenced six C. sativa cultivars to highlight maternal-inherited markers. A set of SNP/INDEL markers in two chloroplastic regions were identified, able to effectively distinguish and trace C. sativa from C. mollissima and C. crenata. The High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis was performed as a practical and efficient method for SNP/INDELvalidation and to develop a fast, reliable, and reproducible protocol for chestnut traceability in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Establishment of the first germplasm collection of Apulian broccoli rabe • SSR markers highlighted wide genetic variability among and within accessions • Landraces clustered according to their origin, showing geographic stratification Broccoli rabe (Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris (L.) Janch.) is a vegetable crop cultivated in southern Italy where it is part of local traditional recipes and heritage. Despite its economic importance, there are no cultivars patented, giving rise to many cultivated landraces that are characterized by wide phenotypic variability and named according to their harvesting time or the size and shape of their primary inflorescence. We report the first study of genetic diversity of 67 landraces of broccoli rabe collected in Apulia region and genotyped by means of 18 very informative SSR markers. A total of 243 alleles were detected in 552 genotypes, with a mean of 13.5 alleles per locus. The molecular variance was partitioned for 64% within accessions and for 36% among accessions, revealing a high level of genetic variation within landraces and a significant genetic differentiation across themselves. Remarkably, the results of genetic structure inference, as well as principal coordinates analysis and hierarchical clustering indicated as the clustering was largely in accordance to the germplasm origin, highlighting the presence of geographic stratification. We established a comprehensive germplasm collection of Apulian broccoli rabe landraces, currently stored at the Genebanks of IBBR-CNR and University of Bari. Finally, our study lays a foundation for future bio-agronomic characterizations addressing the identification of superior accessions for breeding purposes and solving cases of homonymy and synonymy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2003, non-compliant aflatoxin concentrations have been detected in maize produced in Italy. The most successful worldwide experiments in aflatoxin prevention resulted from distribution of atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus to displace aflatoxin-producers during crop development. The displacement results in lower aflatoxin concentrations in harvested grain. The current study evaluated in field performances of two atoxigenic strains of A. flavus endemic to Italy in artificially inoculated maize ears and in naturally contaminated maize. Co-inoculation of atoxigenic strains with aflatoxin producers resulted in highly significant reductions in aflatoxin concentrations (>90%) in both years only with atoxigenic strain A2085. The average percent reduction in aflatoxin B1 concentration in naturally contaminated maize fields was 92.3%, without significant differences in fumonisins between treated and control maize. The vegetative compatibility group of A2085 was the most frequently recovered A. flavus in both treated and control plots (average 61.9% and 53.5% of the A. flavus, respectively). A2085 was therefore selected as an active ingredient for biocontrol products and deposited under provisions of the Budapest Treaty in the Belgian Co-Ordinated Collections of Micro-Organisms (BCCM/MUCL) collection (accession MUCL54911). Further work on development of A2085 as a tool for preventing aflatoxin contamination in maize produced in Italy is ongoing with the commercial product named AF-X1™. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pasta is a worldwide popular Italian food made exclusively of durum wheat. The choice of variety to be used to produce pasta is at the discretion of the producer based on the peculiar characteristics of each cultivar. The availability of analytical approaches for the tracking of specific varieties along the productive chain is becoming increasingly important to authenticate the pasta products and distinguish between fraudulent activities and cross-contaminations during the production process. Among the different methods, molecular approaches based on DNA markers are the most used for these purposes because of their ease of use and high reproducibility., Results: In the present study, we used an easy simple sequence repeats-based method to identify the durum wheat varieties used to produce 25 samples of semolina and commercial pasta comparing their molecular profile with those of the four varieties declared by the producer and other 10 durum wheat cultivars commonly used in pasta production. All of the samples showed the expected molecular profile; however, most of them present also a foreign allele indicating a possible cross-contamination. Moreover, we evaluated the accuracy of the proposed approach through the analysis of 27 hand-made mixtures with increasing amounts of a specific contaminant variety, allowing the estimation of the limit of detection of 5% (w/w)., Conclusion: We demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method and its effectiveness in the detection of not declared varieties when these are present in a percentage equal to or higher than 5%. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

• Molecular characterization of 35 accessions of old pear landraces were investigated. • The clustering dendrogram (UPGMA) based on the obtained data showed both cases of synonymy and homonymy and only 6 unique genotypes were identified. • S-allele genotyping confirms the kindship between the red fleshed genotypes showing also some rare alleles. • Four out of 6 unique genotypes have been clustered from several pomological data. Germplasm collections represent a reservoir of traits and genes that might be used in breeding programs to cope with the evolving market demand. Some old pear accessions still cultivated in the Apennine Mountains in Italy possess a red flesh fruit. This paper reports the molecular analysis of 33 red-fleshed pear accessions, collected in different areas of the Emilia-Romagna region and genotyped with 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers with the aim of improving germplasm conservation strategies for old red-fleshed pears and for supporting ongoing breeding programs. The molecular profiles revealed both cases of synonymy and homonymy and only 6 unique genotypes were identified. S-genotypes were also established in order to highlight the genetic relationships among these landraces. Four of the unique genotypes have been clustered based on pomological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sweet-seeded domesticated almonds were brought to the Mediterranean Basin from central Asia about 4000 years ago. In Italy, most of the almonds produced are cultivated in the southern part of the country. Local populations of the tree in Sardinia are largely seed-derived and mostly self-incompatible, so have developed extensive genetic diversity. The need to protect biodiversity has prompted a revived interest in local genetic materials in almond. Two Italian collections have been established, one in Sardinia and the other in Apulia. These collections were the focus of the present evaluation of genetic diversity. Results: Eleven SSRs (microsatellites) were used for fingerprinting. The Sardinian germplasm was highly polymorphic, revealing a mean of 14.5 alleles per locus and a mean heterozygosity of 0.71. Using a model-based clustering approach, two genetic clusters were distinguished: one included all the commercial varieties and most of the Sardinian accessions, and the other most of the Apulian accessions. A similar structure was produced using a distance-based cluster analysis. The Sardinian accessions could still be distinguished from the commercial germplasm with few exceptions. Conclusion: The extensive genetic variability present in the Sardinian and Apulian almond germplasm indicates that these materials represent an important source of genes for the improvement of the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Molecular characterization of 113 genotypes intercepting Italian and abroad almond varieties. [•] A total of 9 polymorphic SSR loci were employed detecting 159 alleles. [•] Data represent the first overview of genetic diversity among Italian almond cultivars using molecular markers. [•] STRUCTURE analysis allowed to identify admixture among different gene pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of published microsatellite data which characterizes Ribes spp. To address this, an initial study of simple sequence repeat (SSR) variation was undertaken in 41 cultivars belonging to four species of the genus Ribes to evaluate its genetic variability. The cultivars were collected in Piedmont, northwest Italy, together with one cultivar from Switzerland. Twenty SSRs were screened for amplification and polymorphism. Seven failed to amplify, and therefore the remaining 13 were selected and used to fingerprint all the cultivars. Microsatellite analysis resulted in the identification of 38 genotypes, suggesting the existence of possible clonal genotypes and synonyms. Among the cultivars analyzed, two tetraploid accessions were found. The evaluation of genetic variability in Ribes is of fundamental importance for future nutritional breeding programs and to preserve genetic resources, as cultivar characterization permits better management of plant collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a species of great economic importance in Mediterranean basin. Italy is very important for the olive industry; in fact, olive's genetic patrimony is very rich and characterized by an abundance of cultivars. At present, majority of ancient landraces are vegetatively propagated by farm. It is likely that number of cultivars is underestimated because of inadequate information on minor local cultivars that are widespread in different olive-growing areas. The existence of many cultivars reinforces the need for a reliable identification method. It is important improve the ex situ plant germplasm collection and fairly to characterize all cultivars future breeding programs. In the present report, we used 11 loci microsatellites characterize 211 olive cultivars of an olive collection cultivated in six regions of southern Italy. These regions represent the major area for olive cultivation in Italy and have strategic geographical location in the Mediterranean basin. The dendrogram obtained, using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering algorithm, depicts the pattern of relationships between the studied cultivars. There is a clear structuring of the variability relative to the geographic origin of olive cultivars. This work, for the very high number of the Italian olive cultivars analyzed, highlights degree and distribution of genetic diversity of this species for better exploitation of olive resources and for the design of plant breeding programs. Besides, the use of molecular markers, like simple sequence repeats, is imperative to build a database for cultivar analysis, for traceability of processed food, and for appropriate management of germplasm collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is native to the Mediterranean Basin, where it grows in close proximity with its ancestor wild cardoon (C. cardunculus var. sylvestris); its commercial production is mainly based on vegetatively propagated clones which guarantee high yields of marketable product (i.e. immature inflorescence or capitula). A collection of 24 landraces of globe artichoke was made from small-holdings in Sicily, which is assumed to be one of the possible centres of its domestication. These landraces have been cultivated for centuries by local farmers, mainly due to their culinary uniqueness. The collection was characterised for a combination of morphological traits and AFLP, gSSR and cpSSr markers. Molecular analyses included genotypes of wild cardoon collected from different sites in Sicily as well as accessions of the most widely grown Sicilian varietal types: the spiny 'Spinoso di Palermo' and the non-spiny 'Violetto di Sicilia'. The landraces follow a gradient of 'ennoblement' towards either the domesticated spiny or the non-spiny types. 'Cimiciusa di Mazzarino' was an outlier, in that it resembled the cultivated forms with respect to its AFLP fingerprint, but was more closely related to the wild cardoon on the basis of SSR profile. This particular landrace presents an example of an intermediary form in the domestication process, although it could also have derived from introgression from sympatric wild cardoon, followed by farmer selection. The abundant genetic variation present demonstrates the key role of farmers' practice in the maintenance of genetic diversity, which should be preserved because of its potential value for plant breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural populations of species in the Acer genus occurring in Campania (southern Italy) were surveyed by screening seven microsatellite loci. Primer pairs for Acer pseudoplatanus L. microsatellite loci were analysed in six different species: Acer lobelii Ten., Acer campestre L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Acer obtusatum W. et K., Acer neapolitanum Ten. and Acer monspessulanum L. The aim of the present study was to survey the genetic variability and genetic structure of natural populations of the Acer genus in Campania. The high degree of polymorphism observed in six different species of Acer makes these markers useful for investigating genetic variation at various spatial scales, and for the analysis of gene flow and of the mating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of 66 Phaseolus genotypes was investigated, which included 14 local varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris and nine local varieties of P. coccineus, collected in Marche, central Italy. Their genetic diversity was assessed using three types of molecular marker: inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), nuclear gene-tagged simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and chloroplast simple sequence repeats (CpSSRs). Phaseolus vulgaris shows a higher genetic diversity than P. coccineus for the SSRs and CpSSRs, but not for the putative neutral ISSR markers. These data suggest that selection by farmers and adaptation to heterogeneous environments has maintained the diversity in landraces of the common bean. Comparing genetic diversity in Marche with that of the American controls reveals that 71% of the local P. vulgaris varieties in Marche are of Andean origin. The two gene pools of the common bean can be found on the same farm, and there is some evidence of past hybridization events between these two gene pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Facciuta goat originated from Valnerina, a geographic area in central Italy, including the adjacent parts of four regions: Umbria, Marche, Lazio, and Abruzzo. The aim of this study was to assess how useful microsatellite molecular markers are for the genetic discrimination of the local goat, Facciuta della Valnerina, compared with the two cosmopolitan breeds, Saanen and Camosciata delle Alpi, reared in the same geographic area. The results revealed a very clear separation between the local population (Facciuta della Valnerina) and the two reference goat breeds (Saanen and Camosciata delle Alpi). Furthermore, reducing the number of markers from 16 to 12 still allowed us to distinguish the local population, indicating that microsatellite markers are an inexpensive method to discriminate local livestock breeds. This could be a fast and inexpensive genomic tool to trace goat products and distinguish their origin. Italy holds important genetic resources of small ruminant breeds. By distinguishing goat breeds at the DNA level, certification of products from specific breeds can be valorized. The aim of this study was to establish the genetic identity of Facciuta della Valnerina, a local goat population of Italy, compared with the cosmopolitan breeds, Saanen and Camosciata delle Alpi, reared in the same geographic area. A total of 116 microsatellite alleles ranging from 4 to 13 were detected at 16 loci in the three goat populations/breeds. A total of 23 private alleles with frequencies lower than 0.3 were detected in the Facciuta della Valnerina population. The mean numbers of alleles were 6.67, 4.58, and 4.92 in Facciuta della Valnerina, Camosciata delle Alpi, and Saanen, respectively. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.20 to 0.86. Most loci were highly polymorphic and informative (polymorphic information content ≥0.50). Factorial correspondence analysis and principal components analysis revealed very clear separation between Facciuta della Valnerina and the two reference goat breeds. Reducing the number of markers from 16 to 12 (on the basis of polymorphic information content and the number of alleles) still allowed us to distinguish the local population, indicating that microsatellite markers are capable of discriminating local livestock breeds at a low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber magnatum produces the white truffle appreciated worldwide for its unique aroma. With respect to other Tuber spp. of economic interest, T. magnatum presents a narrower geographical range. This species has, in fact, long been considered endemic to Italy. However, over the last few decades several reports have documented the presence of white truffles in different Mediterranean countries and in particular in various areas of south-east Europe. In this study, samples from several Pannonian and Balkan countries such as Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece have been collected and genotyped with microsatellite markers and the data merged with those available for Italian populations. Our objectives were to test whether Italian and south-east European populations are differentiated and to evaluate the genetic diversity of T. magnatum all over its distributional range. We show the genetic structure of T. magnatum populations with the differentiation of four main groups: northern Italy, central-northern Italy, southern Italy and the Balkan/Pannonian region. The present study allowed us to refine the evolutionary history of T. magnatum and track the possible post-glacial expansion route of this species. The assessment of T. magnatum's genetic structure is not only of scientific relevance, but it is also important for the conservation and market traceability of this prestigious fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Lycaena is widely used for studying life history evolution, local adaptation, stress biology, and behavior. Furthermore, several species are currently declining and thus of conservation concern. In order to provide the molecular basis for population genetics and conservation biology, we report the development of 36 microsatellite markers for Lycaena spp. Loci were screened in 21 individuals each per species using individuals from Greifswald, north-eastern Germany (L. tityrus) or the Italian and Austrian Alps (L. hippothoe and L. virgaureae). Ten, sixteen, and ten polymorphic microsatellite loci are characterised in L. tityrus, L. hippothoe, and L. virgaureae, respectively. Allele numbers per locus ranged from three to 20 and expected heterozygosity from 0.37 to 0.94. Nineteen out of the 36 loci were successfully cross-amplified in at least one other taxon, resulting in a total of 13 loci for L. tityrus tityrus, 14 for L. tityrus subalpinus, 20 for L. hippothoe, and 18 for L. virgaureae. These markers will be useful for addressing population genetic issues in L. tityrus, L. hippothoe, and L. virgaureae, and potentially other Copper butterflies.