Search

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important cultivated oil-producing plants that is highly evaluated for its fatty acid components. Studying and using wild relatives of cultivated crop plants as a spore of gene pool for breeding and hybridization is considered very important now. Therefore, the aim of present investigation was to provide data on saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of three Linum species, Linum usitatissimum, L. austriacum and L. album. We also studied the magnitude of oil composition variability within populations of these species and attempted to find out if oil composition data can be used in the Linum species delimitation. The saturated (C16:0, C18:0 and C20:0) and unsaturated (C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and C20:1) fatty acids identified by GC represented inter- and intraspecies variations in the linseed and wild linum species. The linolenic (C18:3), linoleic (C18:2) and oleic acid as unsaturated fatty acids had an average of 52.7 %, 12.4 % and 20.6 % respectively in cultivated flax (L. usitatissimum), an average of 51.4 %, 18.8 and 20.3 % in L. austriacum, and 4.3 %, 60.4 %, 22.5 % in L. album respectively. Correlations between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids showed that with increase of linolenic acid in linseed oil, the oleic acid decreased. We found that unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic) were higher in wild species as compared to those of the cultivated flaxseed, while precursor saturated fatty acids were lower in the studied wild species. Cluster analysis and a PCoA plot revealed that the Linum species differed in their oil profiles and the populations of each species were placed in a separate group. These data can be used in the Linum species delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several parameters of the in vitro regenerated, grown and adapted to the greenhouse plantlets were studied and compared (P ≤ 0.05). The mean length of stem and leaves of the in vitro regenerated pineapple significantly decreased under greenhouse conditions. The chlorophyll pigments content in the regenerated plantlets was increased and carotenoid, anthocyanins, carbohydrate, total phenols, and bromelain showed a relatively lower amount in the in vitro plantlets. Cluster analysis was performed on the basis of Dice genetic distance matrix for the thirty regenerated plants, as well as the mother plant. On the basis of the Neighbor Joining Cluster the plantlets were grouped into three main clusters. AMOVA test showed that 46 % of the genetic variance is within the groups, while 54 % of the rest belongs in-between the three groups. On the basis of this analysis a significant genetic difference was observed within the regenerated plantlets (P=0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geranium robertianum is highly adaptable and shows various morphological differences, including the degree of hairiness, growth habit (erect or prostrate) and differences in flowering parts. It has a long history of medicinal use, including relief from toothache and nosebleeds. We have no information on its population genetic structure, genetic diversity and morphological variability in Iran. Therefore, owing to the importance of this plant species, we have studied genetic variability and population structure in seven geographical populations of G. robertianum (Geraniaceae). The results indicated that the geographical populations of G. robertianum are well differentiated both in genetic content and in morphological characteristics. A consensus tree based on the morphological and genetic data has separated some of the populations from the others, suggesting existence of ecotypes within this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variability and population structure were studied in 11 geographical populations of Lallemantia royleana Benth. (Lamiaceae). DNA was extracted from 102 plant specimens and used for ISSR assay. Genetic diversity parameters were determined in these populations. AMOVA and Gst analyses revealed the presence of extensive genetic variability within populations and significant molecular difference among the studied populations. Mantel test showed positive significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance of the populations. STRUCTURE and K-means clustering revealed populations genetic stratification. Networking showed some degree of gene exchange among the studied populations. UPGMA dendrogram of the populations based on morphological characters was in agreement with the NJ tree of molecular data. These results indicated that geographical populations of Lallemantia royleana are well differentiated both in genetic content and morphological characteristics. This information may be of use for future conservation and breeding of this medicinally important plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senecio leucanthemifolius subsp. vernalis, known under the vernacular name of Eastern Groundsel, is one of the annual Eurasian subspecies of the genus Senecio. This taxon contains important alkaloids and carotenoids. In animals, carotenoids serve as a source of vitamin A and other retinoids, and as photoprotective and cancer prevention agents. We studied the genetic diversity, population structure and morphological variability of 16 geographical populations of Senecio leucanthemifolius subsp. vernalis in Iran. AMOVA and Gst analyses revealed significant molecular differences among the studied populations. Mantel test did not show any significant correlation between the genetic distance and geographical distance of the studied populations. Reticulation analysis revealed that gene flow occurred among most of the studied populations. STRUCTURE analysis revealed the populations' genetic stratification. MANOVA test of quantitative morphological characters showed a significant difference among the studied populations. The obtained consensus tree of the morphological and genetic trees revealed that some of the studied populations differed from others in their genetic and morphological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at researching the morphological and genetic variability in the long-styled and short-styled plant forms in four subspecies of L. mucronatum. ANOVA and PCA analysis of morphological characters revealed significant difference among the long-styled and short-styled plants in all four studied subspecies. Similarly, AMOVA and Gst test, as well as Hickory test have shown significant molecular difference among these subspecies, while PCoA plot of molecular data after 99 permutations has disclosed genetic divergence of the long-styled plants versus short-styled plants in these subspecies. STRUCTURE analysis indicated a far greater genetic differentiation between the two plant forms of L. mucronatum subsp. mucronatum. Some degree of gene exchange was identified between all four subspecies, indicating that they are not completely isolated from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]