Plant Genetic Resources Conservation in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is located at a significant position in the world from the viewpoint of plant genetic resources and genetic diversity. It is scientifically agreed that two of the Centers of Diversity and Centers of Origin; the Near Eastern and the Mediterranean overlap at Turkey. Turkey is the meeting ground of three phytogeographical regions; Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian. Due to its great variety in geomorphology, topography and climate, Turkey has large diversity of habitats so it is very rich in plant species and endemism. Based on the information given by Davis (1965-1985) and Davis et al. (1988) the number of native ferns and seed plant species were stated as 8.745 by Kaya et al. (1998), 2.763 of which are endemic. In addition to these figures about 1.000 new species were listed by Güner et al. (2000). Altogether the number comes to a total of approximately 10.000. Conservation of genetic diversity in crop plants and their wild relatives is essential for Turkey. Status and conservation strategies of plant genetic diversity are discussed in this paper. PHTOGEOGRAPHIC REGIONS Phytogeographically there are three regions overlapping in Turkey. These regions are Euro-siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian. Euro-Siberian Region extends along the most of North Anatolia in a narrower strip at European part of Turkey. Climatically this region is the rainiest one. In the eastern part annual precipitation exceeds 2.000 mm where tea is also grown. Most of the region is covered with forests. Some of the characteristic plants of the region are:

Genetic diversity assessment in Nicotianatabacum L. with iPBS-retrotransposons

“…Turkey is present at a very important geographical position of the world and it served as the source of origin, distribution, and diversity for different crops (Karagoz, 2001;Baloch et al, 2017). Tobacco is native to South America, while Venetian and English sailors were the ones responsible for the introduction of tobacco in Turkey in the 16th century, during the rule of the Ottomans (Esendal et al, 1994).…”

Technological advances in temperate hardwood tree improvement including breeding and molecular marker applications

“…In Europe, recent activities of the British and Irish Hardwood Improvement Programme are summarized in Burley (2004), including research in ash, silver birch, wild cherry, two species of oak, sweet chestnut, sycamore (Acer), and walnut (two species). Recent research in Europe and elsewhere has focused at least as much on conservation of genetic resources as on the development (breeding) of resources (Eriksson 2001;Xie et al 2002;Karagöz 2003;Hosius et al 2006), but these two activities are closely related and interdependent. Reviews focused specifically on tree improvement in particular regions or in particular species are also available (Koski and Rousi 2005).…”

Eriophyoid Mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) on Fruit Trees in Yalova, Turkey

“…Eriophyoid mites from Ankara were reported in 2003-2006Denizhan et al (2015. Geographical position and botanical history of this country makes it particularly relevant for a potentially rich eriophyoid biodiversity (Ekim and Guner 2000;Karagöz 2003). Until now, only approximately 101 species of eriophyoid mites had been recorded from Turkey (Denizhan et al 2015).…”