Morphological, chemical, and genetic diversity of wild myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) populations in Sicily

Authors : SARA MELITO, SALVATORE LA BELLA, FEDERICO MARTINELLI, IGNAZIO CAMMALLERI, TERESA TUTTOLOMONDO, CLAUDIO LETO, ANGELA FADDA, MARIA GIOVANNA MOLINU, MAURIZIO MULAS

Pages : 249-261

View : 31 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2016-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Myrtus communis L. İs a shrub widespread in the Mediterranean area. The interest in this species is growing, mainly due to its pharmacological and aromatic properties. The overexploitation of wild populations induced increasing degradation of plant cover with serious risk of loss of genetic diversity. This research explored the morphological, chemical, and genetic diversity of wild myrtle populations in Sicily, with the aim to provide a first characterization of a core collection of 36 accessions from 7 localities for future domestication programs. Amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting generated 152 polymorphic fragments. STRUCTURE analysis identified three genetic clusters insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(A, B, and C); corresponding to specific geographical origin. Analysis of molecular variance estimated a quite high overall fixation index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FST = 0.332);. Misilmeri and Ispica were the more divergent populations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FST = 0.502);, while M. Pellegrino and Scopello revealed the lowest FST insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0.153);. The relationships between genetic, morphological, and biometric data were investigated. Significant correlation between genetic clusters and bush shape/plant growth behavior was found insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.005);. Moreover, morphological traits such as leaf, fruit, and seed size were significantly correlated to Clusters B and C. Leaves` secondary metabolite profiles were evaluated based on antioxidant activity and total tannin and phenol concentrations. High antioxidant activity differences were recorded using DPPH insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(21.4-35.5 mmol Trolox/100 g DW); and ABTS insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(24.2-39.5 mmol Trolox/100 g DW); methods. A low variability was observed among populations regarding phenol insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2466-3800 mg catechin equivalents/100 g DW); and total tannin contents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(93.9-262.3 mg catechin equivalents/100 g DW);. Results indicated that multiple approaches based on genetic, morphological, and chemical traits might allow the characterization of natural myrtle diversity.
Keywords : Amplified fragment length polymorphism, genetic resources, leaf antioxidant properties, myrtle, molecular markers