The genus Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) includes true blueberries belonging to section Cyanococcus, encompassing diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid ploidy levels. In Argentina, Southern Highbush Blueberries (V. corymbosum L., SHB) are predominantly cultivated, whereas Rabbiteye Blueberries (V. ashei Reade, REB) are grown to a lesser extent. Although flow cytometry (FCM) enables precise determination of ploidy level and genome size, its application to mature pollen grains (MPGs) has not previously been reported for blueberry species. The aim of this study was to estimate the ploidy level of MPGs from tetraploid and hexaploid blueberry genotypes using FCM after nuclei isolation by the filter bursting method. Mature pollen grains from 14 SHB cultivars (tetraploid) and three REB cultivars (hexaploid) were analyzed using leaf nuclei of known ploidy as internal references. Southern Highbush Blueberry genotypes displayed either one (2Cx) or two (2Cx and 4Cx) fluorescence peaks, whereas REB genotypes exhibited three peaks: 4Cx, 6Cx, and 12Cx, indicating the presence of nuclei with irregular or unbalanced DNA content. The method generated well-defined and reproducible histograms and allowed the detection of reduced, unreduced, and atypical nuclei. These findings provide a practical tool for parental selection and for the identification of unreduced (2n) and unbalanced gametes, contributing to the design of blueberry breeding programs.
Effective conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources require objective approaches that integrate multiple sources of biological and socio-economic evidence. This study developed the Evidence-Based Integrated Germplasm Prioritization Framework (EB-IGPF) to support conservation and breeding decisions for Sri Lankan Cucumis genetic resources. Twenty representative accessions, selected to capture the taxonomic, genetic, phenotypic, geographic, and ethnobotanical diversity of a nationwide collection of 633 Cucumis accessions, were used as a proof of concept. Seven standardized component indices were evaluated: Phylogenetic Distinctiveness (PDI), Morphological Distinctiveness (MDI), Physiological Performance (PPI), Agronomic Value (AVI), Consumer Acceptance (CAI), Ethnobotanical Importance (EII), and Geographic Rarity (GRI). These indices were standardized to a common 0–100 scale using min–max normalization and integrated with equal weighting to calculate the Conservation Priority Index (CPI) and Breeding Priority Index (BPI). The resulting indices differentiated accessions requiring priority conservation from those with high potential for crop improvement and supported their assignment to four evidence-based management categories. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated stable accession rankings under moderate changes in component weighting, indicating the robustness of the prioritization approach. As a proof-of-concept, the EB-IGPF demonstrates that diverse biological, agronomic, and socio-economic datasets can be integrated within a transparent, reproducible, and scalable decision-support framework. Although validated using representative Cucumis germplasm, the methodology is readily transferable to larger germplasm collections and other crop species following further validation.
Potato is a globally important food crop, and its plant architecture is a key agronomic trait that determines canopy structure, light use efficiency, planting density, and ultimately tuber yield. In this study, an F2 segregating population derived from two homozygous Solanum chacoense diploid potato lines, M9 and HD5, with contrasting plant architecture, was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with plant architecture traits. A total of 32 QTLs were detected across three independent environments, distributed on all 12 chromosomes, with individual QTLs explaining 3.24
Monumental olive trees dominate the natural landscape of Lebanon perceiving the long history of olive tree cultivation and propagation in the country. Previous research pointed on the important genetic diversity within the ancient olive germplasm, but the structure of this germplasm has not been sufficiently investigated yet. In this study, we examined the population genetic diversity structure of ancient versus traditional olive germplasm of Lebanon, with an emphasis on the grafting status of the trees, before evaluating the genetic relationships between the Lebanese cultivars and other olive cultivars of the Mediterranean. An exhaustive survey of the four agroclimatic areas of Lebanon allowed us to select a set of 172 spectacular ancient olive trees, in addition to 129 young trees growing among the traditional olive orchards. An SSR analysis, involving 17 primer pairs, was conducted on the 419 accessions representing canopy leaf samples of all the selected trees, and sucker samples growing at the bases of 115 centennials. A set of 81 distinct profiles were obtained at a mutational threshold of four dissimilar alleles. Twenty-five unidentified genotypes were detected among the studied centennials and five among the young olives while 241 trees (80
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a valuable source of dietary protein and genetic material for improving the sustainability of crops. However, intensive breeding and climate-related pressures may accelerate genetic erosion, emphasising the importance of characterising and conserving local germplasm. This study evaluated genetic diversity and population structure in a defined panel of 60 common bean genotypes comprising 26 Turkish landraces, 10 introduced accessions from Italy, France and Georgia, 21 pure lines and three commercial cultivars using 13 directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA/universal rice primer (DAMD/URP) primers. Marker informativeness was assessed using polymorphic information content, Shannon’s information index, the effective number of alleles and resolving power. The primers generated 148 reproducible bands, of which 137 were polymorphic, corresponding to an overall polymorphism rate of 92.6
Medicinal plants remain central to community-based women’s healthcare where culturally embedded remedies complement limited access to formal services. Despite extensive ethnobotanical work, comprehensive evidence on plant use for gynecological care in Sahiwal Division has remained scarce. The research documented medicinal diversity, preparation practices, therapeutic applications, knowledge transmission, and cultural importance across local communities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 30 villages from Sahiwal, Okara, and Pakpattan districts using semi-structured interviews with 200 respondents selected through snowball sampling. Plant specimens were photographed, collected, identified through regional floras, and verified using international taxonomic databases. Frequency of citation, relative frequency of citation, use value, and informant consensus factor were calculated, while ordination and association networks were used to examine preparation patterns and therapeutic linkages. The inventory comprised 70 species from 35 families, with Fabaceae as the richest family and herbs as the dominant growth form. Whole plants, leaves, and fruits were the most frequently used materials, whereas infusion was the leading preparation method. Women, older respondents, housewives, practitioners, and midwives retained the largest share of knowledge, which was transmitted mainly through parents and grandparents. Cost, tradition, and accessibility were the principal reasons for remedy use. Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea had the broadest species representation, while Amaranthus viridis, Azadirachta indica, and Psidium guajava had the widest therapeutic ranges. Relative frequency of citation and use value showed close numerical correspondence across species, largely reflecting their shared dependence on respondent citations. Informant agreement was highest for lactation problems, menorrhagia, and urogenital disorders. These findings provide a basis for safeguarding local knowledge and prioritizing culturally important taxa for pharmacological, toxicological, and conservation assessment.
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) is an important cucurbit species used as a vegetable crop and as a rootstock in grafted watermelon production. This study evaluated the genetic diversity and relationships among 40 bottle gourd genotypes collected from southern Türkiye using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The three marker systems generated 468 scorable DNA fragments, of which 344 were polymorphic, corresponding to an overall polymorphism rate of 73.5
Conservation of forest trees is an important task for ecosystem maintenance, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change and its predicted intensification in the future. Quercus brantii is a shrub or tree that is distributed in West South Iran, and shows variation in morphological characteristics and phenology as well as genetic structure in the geographical regions where it occurs. Despite several morphological and genetic diversity investigations in Iran, there has been no report on landscape genetics and connectivity analysis of Persian oak populations in the context of changing environmental or climate conditions. Hence, the present study considers a landscape genetic study of 14 Persian oak populations in the Zagros region to present data on their genetic structure, gene flow, and connectivity, and their response to climate change. Additionally, the impact of spatial variables on morphological and anatomical characteristics of these plants was analyzed by using spatial statistical methods such as spatial principal component analysis (sPCA), clinal analysis, and spatial autocorrelation regression (SAR). The results of spatial analyses revealed that the genetic structure of these populations, as well as their morphological and anatomical characteristics, are shaped by environmental variables, reflecting adaptation to local conditions. Partial least squares structural modeling (PLS-SEM) and Random Forest methods revealed the interplay between soil features, climatic variables, resistance surface, morphological and anatomical characters, and genetic diversity parameters in shaping the geographical distribution of Persian oak and influencing patterns that may reflect local adaptation to environmental gradients. The present findings may be used in planning a detailed conservation program for the conservation of these plants in Iran.
Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum [Desf.] Husn.) production in Mediterranean rainfed systems is increasingly threatened by climate change–induced terminal drought, with modern breeding having narrowed the genetic base for stress resilience. To bridge this diversity gap, we phenotyped 421 tetraploid wheat accessions representing six Triticum turgidum subspecies (durum, carthlicum, dicoccum, polonicum, turgidum, and turanicum) under three contrasting moisture environments in western Iran. Analysis of variance confirmed highly significant genotype effects (P < 0.01) for all 13 agro-physiological traits assessed, with grain yield exhibiting the greatest phenotypic variability. Multi-environment analysis identified three interlinked determinants of yield stability under terminal drought: (i) early phenology enabling escape from moisture deficit (grain yield negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity: r = − 0.24 to − 0.39, P < 0.01), (ii) sustained chlorophyll content (SPAD) during grain filling, reflecting a functional "stay-green" phenotype; and (iii) elevated thousand-kernel weight (r = 0.38–0.47 with yield, P < 0.01). High-performing accessions optimized this trait synergy while limiting vegetative investment (reduced plant height and moderate Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]), thereby prioritizing reproductive allocation under water deficit. Approximately half of the durum accessions exhibited broad adaptation across environments, yet valuable outliers were also identified within the carthlicum, polonicum, and dicoccum subspecies. Critically, genotype-by-environment interaction analysis revealed substantial diversity within geographic origins, demonstrating that provenance alone is a poor predictor of adaptive performance. Several accessions emerged as priority donors, combining optimal earliness, physiological efficiency, and yield stability for rainfed systems. These findings establish a robust phenotypic framework for trait-based selection and strategic introgression of adaptive alleles to accelerate the development of climate-resilient durum wheat cultivars capable of sustaining productivity under intensifying water scarcity.
BTB and TAZ (BT) proteins are important regulators of plant growth and stress responses, but BT genes in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) have not been systematically characterized. In this study, five BT genes (AhBT1–AhBT5) were identified and analyzed to clarify their genomic organization, evolutionary patterns, and potential functions. These genes are distributed on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 13, and 15, and chromosomal mapping with synteny and Ka/Ks analyses indicates that segmental duplication and strong purifying selection shaped the expansion and conservation of this family. Phylogenetic analysis across A. hypogaea, Gossypium hirsutum, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana revealed two main evolutionary clades. Group I genes (AhBT1, AhBT2, and AhBT4) were highly conserved, implying essential cellular roles whereas, the Group II genes (AhBT3 and AhBT5) revealed lineage-specific diversification, likely contributing to stress response and specialized metabolic regulation. Structural analysis revealed notable variations in exon–intron organization, indicating potential differences in transcriptional regulation and alternative splicing. Chromosomal mapping and synteny analysis confirmed multiple segmental duplication events, further supported by low Ka/Ks ratios, suggesting strong purifying selection acting to preserve the gene function. Subcellular localization predictions demonstrated diverse distribution patterns across the cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplast, and peroxisome, reinforcing the functional diversification of the AhBT gene family. Gene Ontology enrichment highlighted roles in protein ubiquitination, transcriptional regulation, hormone signalling, and environmental stress responses, including reactions to salicylic acid, auxin, jasmonic acid, and abiotic stresses. The overall results suggest that AhBT genes form a conserved yet, functionally versatile family involved in key processes such as protein turnover, stress adaptation, and developmental regulation in A. hypogaea. These findings provide a foundation for future research exploring the regulatory roles of BT gene and associated proteins in legume physiology and future crop improvement.
Seed aging severely impairs germination capacity, grain quality, and nutritional value of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.), yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), harboring abundant stress-tolerant and storage-favorable alleles, provides a valuable genetic resource for elucidating the molecular basis and enhancing the seed storability of cultivated rice. In this study, we identified a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL), BG197, derived from Dongxiang wild rice (DY80, Oryza rufipogon Griff.) serving as the donor parent (with excellent seed storability) and cultivated rice R974 (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica) as the recurrent parent (with poor seed storability). Following artificial aging treatment, BG197 demonstrated significantly enhanced seed storability compared to R974. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified 4,559 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 789 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between BG197 and R974. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these differentially expressed molecules were primarily associated with stimulus response, catalytic and oxidoreductase activities, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and fatty acid degradation pathways. Notably, a co-up-regulated gene-protein pair (Os04g0390800/A0A0P0W9U2) was identified within the previously mapped quantitative trait locus (QTL) interval of seed storability in Dongxiang wild rice. Network analysis indicated that Os04g0390800 is involved in fatty acid metabolic pathways. Linkage molecular marker analysis provided further support for its potential positive role in regulating seed storability. Collectively, this study established a wild rice‑associated molecular framework for seed storability, thus identifying promising candidate targets to enhance seed storability in rice breeding.
Türkiye is the world’s leading hazelnut producer, with the Black Sea region serving as a primary center of diversity. This study evaluated the genetic diversity, population structure and phylogenetic relationships of eight hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cultivars, three genotypes and two Corylus species (C. maxima ‘Purpurea’ and C. colurna) from the western Black Sea region of Türkiye. A total of 61 individuals were analyzed using six Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and six Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. Both marker systems achieved 100
Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs) play a crucial role in regulating flowering time, plant architecture, and plant stress responses. However, the PEBP gene family has been well studied in Arabidopsis and other model species, less is known about them in Cucurbitaceae species. This study explores the evolution and functional role of PEBPs across nine representative Cucurbitaceae species. The results show that 79 PEBPs diversified into three classes through whole-genome duplication events and tandem duplication events across Cucurbitaceae species. Structural analysis revealed highly conserved gene structures and protein motifs among Cucurbitaceae PEBP proteins. In silico functional analysis identified 41 overrepresented gene ontology terms in Cucurbitaceae species, including flower development-related terms such as “regulation of flower development” and “regulation of reproductive process”. Expression analyses revealed the essential role of FT-like (FLOWERING LOCUS T) in regulating blooming in Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Lagenaria siceraria, and Cucurbita maxima. We further inferred a putative FT-like regulatory module required for dormancy release and blooming in Cucurbitaceae species. Additionally, the expression of these genes exhibited differential responses to salt stress in Cucumis melo, highlighting their important roles in adaptation to environmental fluctuations. This study provides a foundation for understanding PEBP gene function in Cucurbitaceae species and informs future breeding strategies for improved stress tolerance. The study reveals the functional diversification of PEBPs and their crucial roles in facilitating blooming and environmental adaptation in Cucurbitaceae species.
A total of 742 plants of 48 asparagus cultivars, landraces and wild relatives of garden asparagus as well as wild species of the genus asparagus were tested for resistance to the Asparagus virus 1 (AV1), as a supplement to an initial study published in 2017. Analogous to the previous study individual plants of all accessions were infested by aphid-based virus transmission in a climate chamber. Establishment and movement of the AV1 were investigated by an ELISA test approach. All tested accessions of A. officinalis were proven to be highly susceptible to AV1, with the exception of three wild accessions from Iran (1 tetraploid/2 octoploid) and two crossbred populations (1 tetraploid/1 octoploid) based on the Spanish landrace ‘Morado de Huétor’. Non infested, resistant plants were detected within 13 accessions of wild relatives, of which two accessions of A. pseudoscaber and each one of A. plocamoides and A. maritimus showed exclusively resistant plants. In addition to the results of the previous study, three wild species, A. brachyphyllus, A. macrorrhizus and A. persicus, were identified as new resources of resistance to AV1. Possibilities for using the genetic resources in breeding programs were discussed.
Medicinal plants are vital to Himalayan biodiversity and traditional medicine, but climate change threatens their growth and productivity. Understanding species-specific responses to climate variability is crucial for conservation and sustainable cultivation. This study examined the interactive effects of species and altitude on growth, physiological and biochemical responses, including antioxidant activity, in three medicinal plants, Asparagus adscendens, Berberis lycium, and Ageratina adenophora, across three altitudes (940, 1570, and 2020 m a.s.l.) in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) species-altitude interaction affecting growth, physiology, and biochemical responses, indicating varied adaptive strategies across the environment. Among the species, A. adscendens exhibited superior growth traits (height, leaf count, branch count, leaf lamina length, leaf lamina breadth, and petiole length) and physiological traits (relative water content, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content) at mid-altitude. It also showed enhanced biochemical responses (proline, protein, and ascorbic acid) and antioxidant enzyme activities (DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase), indicating an adaptive response to the climatic conditions. A. adenophora showed greater phenolic accumulation and better physiological adaptation at higher altitudes, indicating increased stress tolerance. B. lycium exhibited the highest antioxidant potential, especially at mid-altitude, as shown by elevated free radical scavenging activity. The results show that altitudinal variation impacts plant traits; responses vary by species. Mid-altitudes were reported to be suitable for A. adscendens for growth and physiology. These findings may enhance understanding of altitude adaptations and aid conservation, sustainable use, and climate-resilient cultivation of medicinal plants in the Himalayas.
Maize (Zea mays L.) landraces represent a valuable reservoir of genetic diversity crucial for crop improvement and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 60 maize landraces collected from 20 regions of Kosovo using inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers targeting five long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon families (Grande, Huck, Tekay, Ji, and Opie). A total of 110 polymorphic bands were generated, revealing a high level of genetic variation across all marker systems. The proportion of polymorphic loci ranged widely among primers, with Huck, Ji, and Opie showing complete polymorphism, indicating extensive retrotransposon activity and genomic variability. Jaccard-based similarity analysis, Neighbor-Joining clustering, and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) consistently revealed weak geographic structuring and substantial within-population variation. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) confirmed that 54
Typhonium flagelliforme is a medicinal plant known for its diverse bioactive compounds, including tocopherol, which offers significant pharmacological potential, yet the genetic basis of its tocopherol biosynthesis remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify and characterize two putative tocopherol biosynthesis-related genes, VTE3 and HPPD, in T. flagelliforme and its mutant lines. The genes were amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sequence-based approaches targeting conserved homologous regions in non-model plants. The results demonstrated the successful amplification and identification of both the HPPD and VTE3 genes in T. flagelliforme. Subsequent comparative sequence analysis based on sequence similarity and phylogenetic relationships, along with protein structure prediction, strongly supported their annotation as tocopherol biosynthesis genes. The HPPD sequences obtained from genomic DNA (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA) were 583 bp in length, while the gDNA and cDNA for VTE3 sequences were 1162 bp and 294 bp, respectively. Sequence comparison between wild-type and mutant plants revealed seven nucleotide variations in the HPPD and one in VTE3 genomic DNA. These point mutations may contribute to differences in tocopherol accumulation among genotypes. Predicted protein analysis revealed conserved functional domains, and three nonsynonymous mutations in HPPD resulted in amino acid substitutions that may affect enzyme activity in the tocopherol biosynthetic pathway. These findings offer the first molecular insight into tocopherol biosynthesis-related genes in T. flagelliforme, establishing a foundation for linking genetic variation, tocopherol accumulation, the antioxidant, and anticancer properties of tocopherols related to the medicinal potential of T. flagelliforme.
Yunnan Province has been widely recognized as an important center of origin, domestication, and diversification of tea plants, and its large-leaf tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) germplasm represents a valuable resource for tea conservation and breeding. In this study, 216 large-leaf tea accessions collected from four major tea-producing regions of Yunnan Province, including Baoshan (BS), Lincang (LC), Menghai County in Xishuangbanna (MH), and Pu’er (PE), were analyzed using 20 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The SSR loci showed relatively high polymorphism, with mean values of 6.53 for the number of alleles (Na), 3.11 for the effective number of alleles (Ne), 1.17 for Shannon’s information index (I), and 0.546 for expected heterozygosity (He). Among the four populations, MH had a relatively high mean number of alleles, whereas PE had the highest Shannon’s information index and expected heterozygosity. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 98
Drought is one of the most serious abiotic stresses limiting eggplant productivity, although the Solanum genus contains considerable genetic diversity that may support adaptation to water scarcity. This study evaluated 24 Solanum genotypes comprising 15 species under well-watered (100
