Phenotypic variation of fruit and ecophysiological traits among maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz) provenances established in a common garden

Abstract

The domestication of forest species has traditionally relied on productivity issues. However, today there are concerns about the potential responses of natural populations and new cultivars to extreme climatic conditions derived from climate change and how to incorporate this knowledge into the domestication programs. Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz (‘Maqui’) is a widely distributed native species in Chile. Its berry is considered a “super fruit” with an increasing interest in the food industry. This study investigated the phenotypic variation of growth, fruit, and ecophysiological traits of 20 A. chilensis clones originated from six provenances along the latitudinal gradient and established in a common-garden experiment in the Mediterranean zone of central Chile (center part of the species distribution). Differences among provenances were observed for most of the traits under study, especially between the northern and southernmost provenances (i.e., San Fernando versus Entre Lagos). Northern provenances showed higher development of vegetative tissue and fruit yield but lower intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEint) compared with southern ones. Clonal variation within provenances was found significant for the ripening index, WUEint, and fruit number and weight but not significant for traits related to the crown and leaf morphology. A genetic differentiation due to latitudinal cline was not evident in this study, but differences among provenances suggest local adaptation for some traits. The genotypic variation in productive traits must be considered in the outgoing domestication of the species and future selection programs.

Pre-Harvest Salicylic Acid Application Affects Fruit Quality and Yield under Deficit Irrigation in Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Plants

“…Therefore, we can suggest that SA could improve fruit growth and yield, decreasing oxidative stress and ABA levels in A. chilensis plants subjected to water deficit. It is important to highlight that we found higher fruit quality and yield parameters (by about 15%) compared to A. chilensis plants irrigated at 100% of evapotranspiration, as reported in Yañez et al [ 31 ] and González et al [ 47 ]. The authors analyzed fruits of plants from different geographical provenances but established in the same experimental garden (Maule Region, Chile), which showed the high genetic diversity in A. chilensis .…”

“…crop management, morphological and physiological characterization to improve its domestication and agronomic practices [31,37,38]. In a previous study, we [39] reported that foliar 0.5 mM SA application improved plant water status, photosynthesis, and plant growth in A. chilensis plants subjected to 40% of deficit irrigation compared to non-SA-treated plants under greenhouse conditions.…”

“…Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Elaeocarpaceae), commonly known as “maqui”, is an important berry growing in Southern Chile [ 30 , 31 ]. Maqui fruits are widely recognized for their high antioxidant capacity and phenolic compound levels, with human health properties such as cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities, thus becoming to an important industrial crop [ 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

“…In addition, maqui fruits have experienced an important increase in the export market during recent years, especially to several countries including Japan, South Korea, Italy, the United States, and Germany [35,36]. Currently, the high demand for this species has led to several studies related to crop management, morphological and physiological characterization to improve its domestication and agronomic practices [31,37,38]. In a previous study, we [39] reported that foliar 0.5 mM SA application improved plant water status, photosynthesis, and plant growth in A. chilensis plants subjected to 40% of deficit irrigation compared to non-SA-treated plants under greenhouse conditions.…”

The Recruitment of the Recalcitrant-Seeded Cryptocarya alba (Mol.) Looser, Established via Direct Seeding Is Mainly Affected by the Seed Source and Forest Cover

“…Variability in germination among populations was reported in other forest species and shrubs [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ] and is attributed to genetic differences and climatic and geographic effects [ 62 ]. The Mediterranean-type climate area of central Chile has a diversity of climatic conditions due to its geography and latitudinal variation in germination capacity and early performance was observed in species of the Nothofagus genus [ 61 , 63 , 64 ] and sclerophyllous species including C. alba [ 37 , 65 , 66 ]. In our study, the success of seed germination and survival of C. alba was significantly determined by the seed source, where only the local seed source CA showed some survival at the end of the experiment.…”