Genetic and Genomic Diversity in a Tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) Germplasm Collection and Adaptability to Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Abstract

Lupinus mutabilis (tarwi) is a species of Andean origin with high protein and oil content and regarded as a potential crop in Europe. The success in the introduction of this crop depends in part on in depth knowledge of the intra-specific genetic variability of the collections, enabling the establishment of breeding and conservation programs. In this study, we used morphological traits, Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat markers and genome size to assess genetic and genomic diversity of 23 tarwi accessions under Mediterranean conditions. Phenotypic analyses and yield component studies point out accession LM268 as that achieving the highest seed production, producing large seeds and efficiently using primary branches as an important component of total yield, similar to the L. albus cultivars used as controls. By contrast, accession JKI-L295 presents high yield concentrated on the main stem, suggesting a semi-determinate development pattern. Genetic and genomic analyses revealed important levels of diversity, however not relatable to phenotypic diversity, reflecting the recent domestication of this crop. This is the first study of genome size diversity within L. mutabilis, revealing an average size of 2.05 pg/2C (2001 Mbp) with 9.2% variation (1897, prompting further studies for the exploitation of this diversity.

Andean Lupin Phenology and Agronomic Performance under Different Planting Dates in a Mediterranean Climate

“…The results reinforce the view that in Southern Europe Andean lupin cultivation should focus on seed production [16] as large biomass production is inhibited by drought and high temperatures [52]. The L. mutabilis accessions evaluated yielded lower than the 1.5 t ha −1 on average that is considered as desirable for cultivation on a commercial scale and was achieved under European climatic conditions [18,31,35], thus more research is needed to increase yield in Greece. However, a yield of 130 kg ha −1 in Ecuador is considered common [53].…”

“…Strong positive correlations were observed between plant height and height from ground to the first branch's infloresence, days to pod maturity, total number of pods per plant, total number of seeds per plant and seed yield indicating the importance of growth type selection to breed for seed yield [15]. The importance of correlation of plant architecture to phenological and agronomical traits and the feasibility of breeding for favorable genotypes aiming to increase yield production has been previously underlined by Römer and Jahn-Deesbach [18], Hardy et al [26] and Guilenge et al [35].…”

“…Indeterminate accessions with long life cycle performed better than the restricted indeterminate type accessions (LIB221, LIB222) and the semi-determinate accession (LIB220) tested in the three less favorable planting date/year combinations. Semi-determinate and determinate accessions proposed as preferable [13,35,59] were not considered as suitable for cultivation in the area. LIB223 was the indeterminate accession that was affected mostly by late planting, probably due to its very late flowering and delay in entering production.…”

“…Recently, 23 L. mutabilis accessions subjected to molecular analysis and evaluated for Mediterranean conditions adaptability in a two-year experiment. Among them a promising indeterminate accession for high yield under Mediterranean conditions as well as a semi-determinate accession were found [35].…”

The genetic legacy of fragmentation and overexploitation in the threatened medicinal African pepper-bark tree, Warburgia salutaris

“…For the development of the markers, we first estimated the nuclear DNA content of W. salutaris by flow cytometry using fresh young leaves that were chopped using a razor blade together with an internal standard in a Petri dish containing 1 mL of Woody Plant Buffer 100 following the protocol described in 101 . Solanum lycopersicum www.nature.com/scientificreports/ 'Stupické' (2C = 1.96 pg) 102 was used as internal standard.…”