ABSTRACT. Eggplant is a major crop in Turkey, which produces more of this crop than all of Europe; consequently, germplasm resources are of concern for the country. Molecular characterization of eggplant genotypes collected from different geographical regions of Turkey was carried out using SSR and RAPD markers. With amplification of five SSR loci, the number of alleles per microsatellite locus ranged from 2 to 10, with a total of 24 alleles. The greatest number of alleles was found at the emf21H22 locus (10 alleles); followed by emh11O01 and emf21C11 as five and four alleles, respectively. The average num ber of alleles per locus was 4.8. Using 11 decamer RAPD primers, 100 bands were amplified, among which 29 were polymorphic. The number of bands per primer ranged from seven (OPH10, OPH19, OPH20, OPH03) to 14 (OPB07). Primer OPB07 was the most polymorphic, generating 64% polymorphic bands; the rest of the primers gave less than 50% polymorphism. UPGMA dendrograms were used to examine the genetic relatedness of the genotypes.

The development of hybrid broccoli genotypes with enhanced levels of 4-methylsulphinylbutyl glucosinolate, the precursor of anticarcinogenic isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SF), by introgressing genomic segments from the wild ancestor Brassica villosa is described. We demonstrate that to obtain enhanced levels of either 3-methylsulphinylpropyl or 4-methylsulphinylbutyl glucosinolate it is necessary to have B. villosa alleles in either a homozygous or heterozygous state at a single quantitative trait locus (QTL) on O2. The ratio of these two glucosinolates, and thus whether iberin or SF is generated upon hydrolysis, is determined by the presence or absence of B. villosa alleles at this QTL, but also at an additional QTL2 on O5. We further demonstrate that following mild cooking high glucosinolate broccoli lines generate about three fold higher levels of SF than conventional varieties. Commercial freezing processes and storage of high glucosinolate broccoli maintains the high level of glucosinolates compared to standard cultivars, although the blanching process denatures the endogenous myrosinase activity.

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ABSTRACT. The need for the conservation of plant genetic resources has been widely accepted. Germplasm characterization and evaluation yield information for more efficient utilization of these valuable resources.

Abstract. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) synthesizes sulphur containing plant secondary metabolites known as glucosinolates that are often associated with bioactive properties upon hydrolysis. Glucosinolates are part of plant defence system and the glucosinolate content in plants is usually influenced by several factors including the genetic background of plants, developmental stage, environmental factors and soil conditions. The evaluation of factors affecting glucosinolate content in plants is important to obtain plants with improved bioactive properties. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of NaCl (0, 40, 80, 100mM) on aliphatic and indole glucosinolate content of broccoli grown in greenhouse conditions. For this purpose, broccoli seedlings at 5-6 leaf were irrigated with 0 (control), 40mM, 80mM and 100mM NaCl. Glucosinolates were determined at three different time points (1, 3, 6 days upon treatment). According to the findings, the amount of individual and total aliphatics and indoles were lower at 40, 80 and 100mM NaCl applications compared to control plants determined at three different time points (P<0.001) suggesting the break down of glucosinolates due to stress conditions. The findings of the study revealed the glucosinolate profile and content of broccoli seedlings under saline conditions.