The main aim of our research was to describe the level and distribution of genetic variability of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Italy, using eight nuclear microsatellite markers. The sampled plants were grouped in 11 internally homogeneous breeding zones, defined according to their ecological and vegetational conditions. The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.573, and the expected (He) 0.698. Significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at each locus were found for all breeding zones (P,0.01). The mean fixation index, calculated taking into account the estimated null allele frequencies, was 0.075, showing a slight excess of homozygotes. FST (departure of genotype frequencies within populations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, commonly used as an estimator of genetic differentiation among populations) showed a mean value of 0.046, indicating a slight, although significant, differentiation among breeding zones. However, in general, it was not possible to observe a structuring linked to the geographical location of the breeding zones. The results of the study contribute to a better understanding of our knowledge of the wild cherry genetic variation in Italy, thus making for more efficient programmes aimed at the preservation of biodiversity and for more rational planning of the management of reproductive material. Since our results do not show a clear structuring of genetic variability within the Italian diffusion area of wild cherry, it is not possible to draw any indications on regions of provenance delimitation based only on genetic data, and the identification of the latter should be based mainly on ecological and vegetational features.

Genetic variation in Italian wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) as characterised by nSSR markers

FERRAZZINI, DIANA;BELLETTI, Piero
2013-01-01

Abstract

The main aim of our research was to describe the level and distribution of genetic variability of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Italy, using eight nuclear microsatellite markers. The sampled plants were grouped in 11 internally homogeneous breeding zones, defined according to their ecological and vegetational conditions. The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.573, and the expected (He) 0.698. Significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at each locus were found for all breeding zones (P,0.01). The mean fixation index, calculated taking into account the estimated null allele frequencies, was 0.075, showing a slight excess of homozygotes. FST (departure of genotype frequencies within populations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, commonly used as an estimator of genetic differentiation among populations) showed a mean value of 0.046, indicating a slight, although significant, differentiation among breeding zones. However, in general, it was not possible to observe a structuring linked to the geographical location of the breeding zones. The results of the study contribute to a better understanding of our knowledge of the wild cherry genetic variation in Italy, thus making for more efficient programmes aimed at the preservation of biodiversity and for more rational planning of the management of reproductive material. Since our results do not show a clear structuring of genetic variability within the Italian diffusion area of wild cherry, it is not possible to draw any indications on regions of provenance delimitation based only on genetic data, and the identification of the latter should be based mainly on ecological and vegetational features.
2013
86
391
400
De Rogatis A.; Ferrazzini D.; Ducci F.; Guerri S.; Carnevale S.; Belletti P.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Forestry-2013-De Rogatis-391-400.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 299.68 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
299.68 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
TextDeRogatisDef_4aperto.pdf

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione 145.05 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
145.05 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/134674
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 27
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 23
social impact