Articles
Exploiting the genetic variation in fig trees to identify molecular markers linked to abiotic stress responses
Article number
1464_31
Pages
235 – 242
Language
English
Abstract
In the face of climate change significantly affecting the Mediterranean region, breeding efforts are essential to enhance crop tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses, thereby improving agricultural productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
The fig tree (Ficus carica L.), a traditional crop of the Mediterranean basin, holds great potential for commercial expansion due to its nutritional and nutraceutical benefits and its ability to thrive in marginal soils and challenging environments.
However, understanding the genetic basis of traits like drought and salt stress tolerance remains a key challenge.
This research aims to explore and characterize the biodiversity of fig trees in the Mediterranean and identify genes involved in stress adaptation.
A total of 286 fig cultivars from Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey were resequenced using a reference genome, revealing over 1.3 million SNPs.
Principal component analysis and population analysis showed three distinct genetic clusters aligned with geographic origin.
Interestingly, certain genotypes showed genetic relatedness across different clusters and countries, indicating potential synonymies or cryptic relatedness.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified significant markers linked to traits related to drought and salt stress response, such as leaf temperature, water content, and plant height.
Candidate genes involved in these responses include BTB/POZ, BON1, GALT6, GDP-L-fucose, PEX7, LEA protein, Serine/Threonine Protein Kinases, and cysteine synthase.
These findings provide valuable insights into fig stress adaptation mechanisms and offer essential resources for future breeding programs aimed at developing more resilient fig cultivars suited to changing climatic conditions.
The fig tree (Ficus carica L.), a traditional crop of the Mediterranean basin, holds great potential for commercial expansion due to its nutritional and nutraceutical benefits and its ability to thrive in marginal soils and challenging environments.
However, understanding the genetic basis of traits like drought and salt stress tolerance remains a key challenge.
This research aims to explore and characterize the biodiversity of fig trees in the Mediterranean and identify genes involved in stress adaptation.
A total of 286 fig cultivars from Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey were resequenced using a reference genome, revealing over 1.3 million SNPs.
Principal component analysis and population analysis showed three distinct genetic clusters aligned with geographic origin.
Interestingly, certain genotypes showed genetic relatedness across different clusters and countries, indicating potential synonymies or cryptic relatedness.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified significant markers linked to traits related to drought and salt stress response, such as leaf temperature, water content, and plant height.
Candidate genes involved in these responses include BTB/POZ, BON1, GALT6, GDP-L-fucose, PEX7, LEA protein, Serine/Threonine Protein Kinases, and cysteine synthase.
These findings provide valuable insights into fig stress adaptation mechanisms and offer essential resources for future breeding programs aimed at developing more resilient fig cultivars suited to changing climatic conditions.
Authors
T. Giordani, M. Castellacci, G. Usai, A. Vangelisti, S. Simoni, L. Natali, F. Mascagni, A. Cavallini, M. Lopez-Corrales, M.G. Domínguez, G. Baraket, S. Haffar, A. Kuden, S. Comlekcioglu, J.I. Hormaza
Keywords
Ficus carica, genetic variability, genome wide association studies, abiotic stress response, climate change
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