Search

Common bean is one of the most cultivated and consumed grain legumes worldwide, showing a high level of genetic diversity. Here is presented a detailed review of development and mapping of simple sequence repeats (SSRs, microsatellite markers) in the common bean. In the last 25 years, common bean has been the subject of numerous genetic studies, in which the identification and use of SSRs were conducted, and lead to the development of genetic maps. First genetic maps of common bean have been developed in the 1990s and were based on different molecular markers, and included domestication genes and important agronomic traits. Later, SSRs allowed the genetic mapping of more narrow crosses that are often of interest in plant breeding. Most genetic maps have been correlated with the core map established in the recombinant inbred population BAT93 x Jalo EEP558, and includes different markers, RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism), and SSRs in particular. More than 2, 000 SSR markers are available for the common bean and they are an important tool to evaluate the genetic diversity of common bean landraces. SSRs are also useful to evaluate intra-specific diversity within the genus Phaseolus.

Epigenetic variation in natural populations with contrasting habitats might be an important element, in addition to the genetic variation, in plant adaptation to environmental stress. Here, we assessed genetic, epigenetic, and cytogenetic structure of the three Lilium bosniacum populations growing on distinct habitats. One population was growing under habitual ecological conditions for this species and the other two were growing under stress associated with high altitude and serpentine soil. Amplified fragment length polymorphism and methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism analyses revealed that the three populations did not differentiate genetically, but were clearly separated in three distinct clusters according to DNA methylation profiles. Principal coordinate analysis showed that overall epigenetic variation was closely related to habitat conditions. A new methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism scoring approach allowed identification of mainly unmethylated (φST = 0.190) and fully CpG methylated (φST = 0.118) subepiloci playing a role in overall population differentiation, in comparison with hemimethylated sites (φST = 0.073). In addition, unusual rDNA repatterning and the presence of B chromosomes bearing 5S rDNA loci were recorded in the population growing on serpentine soil, suggesting dynamic chromosome rearrangements probably linked to global genome demethylation, which might have reactivated some mobile elements. We discuss our results considering our earlier data on morphology and leaf anatomy of several L. bosniacum populations, and suggest a possible role of epigenetics as a key element in population differentiation associated with environmental stress in these particular lily populations.

Dalmatian or common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is an outcrossing plant species native to East Adriatic coast. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) were used to analyze genetic diversity and structure of ten natural populations from the East-Adriatic coastal region. Th e highest genetic diversity was found in populations from the central and south Dalmatia, while the highest frequency down-weighted marker values were found in the northernmost populations and the southern most inland population. Although analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among individuals within populations, highly significant FST values suggested the existence of genetic differentiation among populations. By assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium within populations, the calculated FST value among population was moderate. Bayesian model-based clustering method revealed that at K = 2 all individuals belonging to two northern populations were assigned to a separate cluster from the individuals belonging to the rest of the population. At K = 3, the newly formed cluster grouped the majority of individuals belonging to populations from central Dalmatia. Th e high correlation between matrices of genetic and geographical distances showed that isolation by distance may play a considerable role in overall structuring of the genetic diversity.

High levels of both morphological and chemical variability exist within the O. basilicum L. species. Long-term traditional uses and wide distribution throughout the world, as well as traditional selection and breeding efforts, have contributed to that variability within the species. Morphological traits according to UPOV descriptor list and AFLP markers were utilized to define the extent of existing variation in the species analyzing 24 accessions from the Collection of medicinal and aromatic plants of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Phenotypic dissimilarities between pairs of accessions were calculated and the UPGMA dendrogram was constructed. A number of clearly defined clusters have been detected, giving a good representation of traditional taxonomic relationships. Genetic relationships were determined by Neighbour-Joining cluster analysis based on Dice's distance matrix between accessions. Generally, morphologically similar accessions grouped together and a high congruence between trees was observed. Our analyses revealed a certain degree of correspondence between morphological and molecular data among O. basilicum L. accessions. Both AFLP markers and morphological descriptors can contribute in resolving existing problems concerning intraspecific classification in O. basilicum.

SummaryThe most important olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivar in Croatia is ‘Oblica’, which is cultivated in all growing regions and makes up ≤ 75% of all olive trees. A total of 36 typical ‘Oblica’ trees were sampled from five growing regions in Croatia. An analysis of 12 morphological traits revealed high variability among the samples. Geographical latitude had the greatest influence (r = 0.276) on morphological characteristics, followed by longitude (r = 0.223), and altitude (r = 0.127). The correlation between all 12 morphological characteristics and geographical coordinates was 25.7%, which indicates a strong environmental influence on morphology. Molecular identification of the 36 samples, based on AFLP markers, suggested that intra-cultivar genetic variability was limited (4.82%). These results suggest that a few closely-related clones constitute the genetic structure of ‘Oblica’, while the observed morphological diversity is due to environmental factors.

We have developed the first quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses for agronomic traits in a cross between F(1.1) (P1) and F(1.7) (P7) entries of Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. Both lines are offspring of the cross between MS-90-2 and MS-88-110. A map based on random amplified polymorphic DNA markers previously constructed was used to perform the QTL analyses. This map was developed using a new mapping strategy that has been designated offspring cross. Eleven QTLs were detected for height, panicle height and diameter using the programme mapqtl 4.0 and the multiple QTL method. QTL significance was determined using several analyses, including Kruskal-Wallis analyses, empirical determination of LOD critical values using permutation tests, QTLs validation with field data over 2 years and co-localization of QTLs for correlated traits. The results obtained could be the first step in developing a marker-assisted selection programming in this species for biomass production.

An ecogeographical survey of wild hop populations was conducted in the northwest of Croatia in two consecutive years. A total of 121 plants was documented on eight locations. Along with the passport data, the data on three phenotypic traits (no. of leaflets, cone shape, aroma) were gathered during collection, while the content of α -acids in hop cones was determined by lead conductance. Shanon’ s information index was calculated for each phenotypic trait and used as a measure of intra- and interpopulation diversity. For all analyzed traits, most of the total phenotypic diversity was attributable to differences among plants within populations. The differences in proportions of individuals having a particular trait state between all pairs of populations in the case of leaflet number and cone shapes were non-significant. Four out of 28 pairwise comparisons for aroma were proven significant, indicating the existence of differences in proportions of individuals across populations recorded to have 'typical hoppy', 'fine hop' or 'rough' aroma. No significant differences were observed for alpha-acids content among populations. Plant exhibiting elongated cone shape had significantly higher alpha-acids content than those having oval or round cone shapes. Similarly, plants categorized as 'rough' aroma hop cones had the highest content of alpha-acids compared with those categorized as 'typical hoppy' or 'fine hop aroma' hop cones.

Species of the genus Ocimum, basil, are widely cultivated as a source of essential oil for use in foods, flavours and fragrances and as a culinary herb, spice and garden ornamental. Ocimum taxonomy is confused due to interspecific hybridization, polyploidization, and the existence of chemotypes or chemical races with similar morphology. Twenty-eight basil accessions, including six species O. basilicum L., O. americanum L., O. × citriodorum Vis., O. minimum L., O. gratissimum L., O. tenuiflorum L., and six botanical varieties or cultivars of O. basilicum var. basilicum 'Genovese', O. b. var. basilicum 'Sweet Basil', O. b. var. difforme, var. purpurascens 'Dark Opal' and O. b. var. thyrsiflorum, were analyzed by both random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Phylogenetic relationships were determined by neighbour joining cluster analysis based on dice distance between accessions. A very strong correlation between dice distance matrices based on RAPD and AFLP data were observed and the resulting neighbour-joining trees were congruent. High bootstrap support values for the branches separating O. tenuiflorum and O. gratissimum accessions, a cluster containing O. americanum and O. × citriodorum accessions, and a cluster containing O. basilicum and O. minimum accessions were observed in both cases giving a good representation of traditional taxonomic relationships. Within the O. basilicum cluster, similar accessions grouped together specifically O. minimum, O. basilicum 'Dark Opal' and O. basilicum var. difforme accessions. In addition to morphological, chemical and crossability data, RAPD and AFLP analyses can be a useful tool for resolving existing problems in identification and classification of basil.

In order to make chemical characterization of two Origanum vulgare L. subspecies in Montenegro, the essential oils of five wild growing populations were analyzed. Among 67 oil constituents, in O. vulgare subsp. hirtum dominant one was oxygenated monoterpene carvacrol (74.3%), while in O. vulgare subsp. vulgare prevailed sesquiterpene hydrocarbons: germacrene D (15.4–27.9%) and β-caryophyllene (7.7–14.6%), and among oxygenated monoterpenes: α- terpineol (4.8–17.8%), linalyl acetate (0.5–9.6%), linalool (3.0–8.8%), thymol (0.2–8.3), terpinene 4-ol (1.5–8.3%). Several of the main essential oil constituents appeared to be highly intercorrelated. Strong positive correlations (r > 0.70; P < 0.01) were observed between α-terpineol and linalyl acetate, α-terpineol and thymol, linalyl acetate and thymol, γ-terpenene and carvacrol, ( E)-β-ocimene and β-bisabolene, while strong negative correlations (r < −0.70; P < 0.01) were evidenced between γ-terpenene and β-caryophyllene, γ-terpenene and germacrene D, p-cymene and germacrene D. Multivariate analyses allowed the grouping of the populations into three distinct chemotypes. Population P5 (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) was distinguished from O. vulgare subsp. vulgare populations by predominance of carvacrol, while within the typical subspecies the population P1 (Boljevići) separated from P2 (Radovče), P3 (Lipovo) and P4 (Grahovo) by high oil levels of α-terpineol, linalyl-acetate and thymol.

In a field experiment with three Croatian spring malting barleys (Hordeum vulgare L.) the effect of seed size on yield components, grain yield and grain characteristics important for malting was determined. With increasing seed size spike production and density, number of tillers, main stem length, thousand kernel mass, test mass, seed vigor and yield increased, maturity was advanced and seed moisture content at harvest decreased. There were varietal differences. Altogether, sowing large seeds improved total performance.

Hop breeding is a lengthy process due to the dioecious nature of hop, producing highly heterozygous offspring and only female plants are of commercial interest. Molecular approaches have therefore been developed to support conventional hop breeding programmes. We studied the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and determined map locations for alpha-acid content and yield in hop, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite markers (SSRs). Genetic linkage maps were constructed from a mapping population consisting of 111 progeny from a double pseudo-testcross. A total of 194 markers were located on the 20 linkage groups (LGs) of the maternal and paternal maps, covering total map lengths of 706 and 616 cM, respectively. Due to the presence of common biparental SSR markers, homology of LGs between parental maps could be inferred. The progeny segregated quantitatively for alpha-acid content and yield determined in the years from 2002 - 2006. Several putative QTLs were determined and the results are discussed from the point of view of implementation of a marker- assisted selection (MAS) programme in hop.

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were identified and characterized to study the genetic diversity and structure, conservation status, taxonomy, and biogeography of subspecific taxa and populations of Campanula pyramidalis (Campanulaceae). Methods and Results: Eleven microsatellite markers were developed from genomic libraries enriched for di- and trinucleotide repeats. A total of 80 alleles were observed in the tested natural population. The number of alleles per locus, observed heterozygosity, and expected heterozygosity ranged from four to 13, 0.217 to 0.913, and 0.521 to 0.895, respectively. Conclusions: The new microsatellite markers will be useful for studying genetic diversity and structure as well as for better assessing the conservation status of subspecific taxa and populations of C. pyramidalis. Furthermore, a set of seven loci was successfully cross-amplified in C. secundiflora and C. versicolor and will be of great value for addressing unsolved taxonomic and biogeographic issues within the C. pyramidalis species complex.

Selection for pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) resistance in wheat is often costly and time- consuming, especially in early segregating generations when a large number of lines are phenotyped. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic variation in PHS resistance of 200 winter wheat cultivars adapted to growing conditions in SE Europe and to investigate the allelic impact of 38 KASP (SNP) markers on their PHS resistance. Cultivars were examined for their PHS phenotype based on germination index (GI) in four environments. The combined ANOVA across environments revealed that genetic (G), environmental (E), and G × E interaction variance accounted for 46, 22, and 27% of the total phenotypic variance, respectively, with an estimated broad-sense heritability of 0.86. After excluding markers with an extremely high rate of missing data and those that are monomorphic, a total of 21 polymorphic SNP markers were analyzed for their effects on GI, considering only homozygous genotypes that have either a tolerant or a susceptible allele. Analysis of variance across environments revealed that GI was significantly affected by environment (E) for 21 markers, genotype of the marker (G) for 12 markers, and G × E interaction for eight markers. Of the 12 markers that showed a significant genotypic effect on GI, two were from chromosome 3A, two from 3B, six from 4A, and one each from chromosomes 5A and 7B. The functional marker TaMKK3, developed from sequence polymorphisms in allelic variants of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) gene on chromosome 4A, showed the greatest impact on PHS resistance. The results of the present study may be useful in the selection of markers for marker-assisted selection for PHS resistance in wheat.

Allium ursinum L., otherwise known as wild garlic, is a wild relative of onion and garlic along with many other species of the numerous Allium genus. Wild garlic is a wild edible plant which usually grows in forests, preferably in shade and sometimes in vicinity of water streams. It is prevalent throughout Europe and western Asia, from lowlands to highlands. Being described as a wild plant, the plant itself has adapted to various environmental conditions. In the past, wild garlic was used as a remedy which refers to wild garlic having compounds that promote good health. Those properties are mostly attributed to the organosulfur compounds and antioxidants produced in plants as a secondary metabolites. Allium species are characterized by an abundance of organosulfur compounds which are directly responsible for the distinct flavor and pungent odor, while polyphenols represent a group of numerous compounds that possess antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in phytochemical profiles between bulbs and leaves of wild garlic originating from 8 different locations, namely differences in antioxidant capacities, total polyphenol contents, volatile profiles, and amino acid. Moreover, effect of above sea elevation on antioxidant capacities, total polyphenol contents, volatile profiles, and amino acid levels in bulbs and leaves of wild garlic was investigated as well. Antioxidant capacities and total polyphenol contents were determined by spectrometric methods (DPPH, FRAP, ORAC, TPC) while volatile profile and amino acid levels were determined using GC-MS and HPLC, respectively. In total, 23 volatile compounds were determined in leaf samples, while in bulb samples 28 volatile compounds were determined. Also, 12 amino acids were quantified in leaf samples, while in bulb samples 14 amino acids were quantified. Furthermore, statistical analysis (factorial ANOVA) showed how the quantity of investigated compounds is not only dependent on the plant’s organ, but on above sea level elevation as well. Therefore, significant interaction between plant organ and elevation was established in 56.5% of determined compounds. In leaves of wild garlic, the effect of elevation was not significant in most of the investigated compounds, while in bulb samples that grew on lower elevation, higher antioxidant capacity and amino acid content was observed. Meanwhile, bulbs from higher elevation exhibited higher level of volatile compounds compared to bulbs from lower elevation.

Stalni ciljevi oplemenjivanja ječma usmjereni su na urod zrna, ranozrelost, otpornost protiv polijeganja, osipanja, bolesti, insekata i niskih temperatura /za ozime tipove/, te namjenski kvalitet ječma za potrebe stočarstva i sladarstva. U specifičnim programima oplemenjivanja mogu biti važna i neka druga svojstva, poput glatkog osja i golog zrna. U programu oplemenjivanja ječma na Poljoprivrednom institutu Osijek naročito se radilo, a i dalje se radi, na povećanju otpornosti na polijeganje sniženjem visine stabljike i povećanjem čvrstoće stabljike, povećanju broja zrna/m2, povećanju biomase i žetvenog indeksa, ranozrelosti (uvažavajući vrijeme cvatnje kao vrlo važan pokazatelj prilagođenosti sorte uvjetima proizvodnje), te poboljšanju namjenske kakvoće ječma. Kod oplemenjivanja na bolesti teži se k vertikalnoj otpornosti sorte na najznačajnije bolesti ječma, a što je utjecalo na dugotrajniju tolerantnost sorte na pojedine bolesti, te na njenu postojanost i dužu opstojnost u proizvodnji. Uz navedene osnovne parametre selekcije vezane za urod zrna, kod pivarskog ječma ozimog i jarog sezonalnog tipa, selekcija je usmjerena na pokazatelje kakvoće zrna, višu masu 1000 zrna, viši udjel zrna I klase, niži sadržaj bjelančevina, viši sadržaj škroba, viši sadržaj extrakta, manju razliku exstrakta fine i grube meljave slada, pokazatelje razgrađenosti slada, niži sadržaj β-glukana.... Radilo se, a sve intenzivnije se radi i na oplemenjivanju ozimog višerednog ječma. Cilj je, naročito, ostvariti višu stabilnost uroda zrna kod ove odlike ječma, povećati otpornost na polijeganje, nastoji se uskladiti masu klasa i čvrstoću stabljike, povećati masu 1000 zrna, poboljšati formiranost zrna i učešće zrna I klase. Costa i sur. (2001.) daju naglasak na značaj stabilnosti uroda zrna kao svojstva od velike važnosti za uspješnost u selekciji novih kultivara ječma. Oplemenjivanje na specifičnu adaptabilnost u cilju povećanja uroda zrna i namjenske kvalitete zrna za određenu subregiju unutar pojedine regije važna je strategija iskorištenja pozitivne interakcije genotip*okolina (Ceccarelli, 1989, Simmonds, 1991, Annicchiarico, 2002, Lalić i sur., 2006). Ta strategija oplemenjivanja u održivoj poljoprivredi nameće se i zbog maksimalizacije iskoristivosti potencijala subregija odgovarajućim genotipom, koji su naročito prikladni za uzgoj u suhim i polusuhim područjima. Oplemenjivanje kultivara u svrhu povećanja otpornosti na polijeganje uključuje razvoj sorti s dobro razvijenim i zdravim korijenovim sustavom, kraćom, čvšćom i elastičnom stabljikom koja se lako ne lomi na vjetru, uz otpornost na patogene i insekte koji napadaju i slabe stabljiku i korijen. Upotreba molekularnih tehnika kao alata u oplemenjivanju ječma, je sve više primjenjiva kod konvencionalnog procesa oplemenjivanja ječma. Mape poveznice molekularnih markera pružaju moćan i značajan alat, i to u svrhu identificiranja lokusa za kvantitativna svojstva (QTL), agronomska i svojstva kvalitete. Molekularno mapiranje genoma ječma se počelo provoditi razvojem molekularnih markera, a kod ječma poticano je mogučnošću razvoja dihaploida (DH), mogučnošću korištenja mutacija i citogenetskih skupina, posebice zajedničkih linija između ječma i pšenice (Nilan, 1990.).

Tijekom vegetacijske sezone 2002/2003. i 2003/2004. postavljena su istraživanja o utjecaju različitih genotipova ozimog ječma i norme sjetve na komponente prinosa i prinos zrna. Istraživanja su obavljena na 8 kultivara ozimog ječma (Rodnik, Sladoran, Rex, Zlatko, Olimp, Viktor, Gaelic, Angora). Pokus je postravljen po split-plot metodi u 3 ponavljanja, na osnovnoj parceli od 7.6 m2. Temeljem statističke analize istraživanih kultivara iskazan je vrlo značajan utjecaj kultivara (P