Fifty-nine Brassica oleracea cultivars, belonging to five botanical varieties, were evaluated for microsatellite (SSR) polymorphisms using 11 database sequence derived primer pairs. The cultivars represented 12 broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), ten Brussels sprouts (B. o. var. gemmifera), 21 cabbage (B. o. var. capitata, including the groups white and red cabbage), six savoy cabbage (B. o. var. sabauda), and ten cauliflower (B. o. var. botrytis) cultivars from 13 seed suppliers. The 11 primer pairs amplified in total 47 fragments, and differentiated 51 of the cultivars, whereas the remaining eight cultivars were differentiated from the rest in four inseparable pairs. All SSR markers, except one, produced a polymorphic information content (PIC value) of 0.5 or above. The average diversity for all markers within the tested material was 0.64.There was no major difference in the diversity within botanical varieties and groups. The cluster analysis and the resulting dendrogram showed that the cultivars tended to group within these taxonomic units. The present study substantiates the use of microsatellite markers as a powerful tool for cultivar differentiation and identification in vegetable brassicas.

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The physiological state of carrot roots during extended cold-storage is decisive for high postharvest quality. We have investigated differences in the proteome and micromycota of organically and conventionally grown carrots during six months of storage. The levels of only 15 proteins changed in level during storage. Proteins involved in cold stress adaptation and cytoskeleton components changed; these changes in specific protein levels occurred mainly during the first month demonstrating adaptation to storage conditions and that the carrots were subsequently stable, indicating stable carrot quality. The changes observed were similar in the two cropping systems. Using both biological isolation and a fungal PCR targeting the ITS region, we identified several endophytic species belonging to the Ascomycota. The most frequently encountered taxa were Tetracladium, Leptodontidium, Nectriaceae and Phoma which are known to occur as root endophytes or as root-associated fungi. As for the proteomics data, no consistent statistically significant differences in micromycota were observed between the two cropping systems. We conclude that cropping system did not have an influence on the postharvest quality of the carrots during six months of cold storage.

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