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Jangada is a municipality in the Baixada Cuiabana region, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the collection of local cassava conserved by four traditional communities of Jangada in terms of ethnobotanical/socioeconomic and genetic aspects. Socioeconomic and ethnobotanical analyses were carried out with 40 farmers using qualitative techniques and descriptive statistics. Seven microsatellite markers were used for genetic analysis. A total of 182 cassava citations were verified, 31 of which were different. The Broto Branco variety was the most frequent (94.3%), followed by Vermelha Gaiadeira and Liberata (82.9 and 77.1%, respectively). The calculated median age for farmers was 56 years. Spearman’s coefficient indicated a positive correlation between the increase in farmer’s age and the number of cultivated local varieties. Few varieties are planted by many farmers, and most are planted by few farmers. High genetic diversity was observed, and most of the variability occurred within communities (88%). Two groups were formed in the cluster analysis, with two communities in each group. The propagule circulation network helped to understand the genetic similarity of communities with the closest geographic location. Cassava cultivation plays an important role in the studied communities, which maintain a high ethnobotanical and genetic diversity and relevant knowledge about the cultivated varieties.

Abstract The Arecaceae family has a worldwide distribution, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. We sequenced the chloroplast genomes of Acrocomia intumescens and A. totai, widely used in the food and energy industries; Bactris gasipaes, important for palm heart; Copernicia alba and C. prunifera, worldwide known for wax utilization; and Syagrus romanzoffiana, of great ornamental potential. Copernicia spp. showed the largest chloroplast genomes (C. prunifera: 157,323 bp and C. alba: 157,192 bp), while S. romanzoffiana and B. gasipaes var. gasipaes presented the smallest (155,078 bp and 155,604 bp). Structurally, great synteny was detected among palms. Conservation was also observed in the distribution of single sequence repeats (SSR). Copernicia spp. presented less dispersed repeats, without occurrence in the small single copy (SSC). All RNA editing sites were C (cytidine) to U (uridine) conversions. Overall, closely phylogenetically related species shared more sites. Almost all nodes of the phylogenetic analysis showed a posterior probability (PP) of 1.0, reaffirming the close relationship between Acrocomia species. These results elucidate the conservation among palm chloroplast genomes, but point to subtle structural changes, providing support for the evolutionary dynamics of the Arecaceae family.

Platonia insignis is a fruit tree native to Brazil of increasing economic importance, with its pulp trading among the highest market values. This study aimed to evaluate the structure and genomic diversity of P. insignis (bacurizeiro) accessions from six locations in the Brazilian States of Roraima, Amazonas, Pará (Amazon biome), and Maranhão (Cerrado biome). A total of 2031 SNP markers were obtained using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), from which 625 outlier SNPs were identified. High genetic structure was observed, with most of the genetic variability (59%) concentrated among locations, mainly between biomes (Amazon and Cerrado). A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.85; p < 0.005) was detected between genetic and geographic distances, indicating isolation by distance. The highest genetic diversity was observed for the location in the Cerrado biome (HE = 0.1746; HO = 0.2078). The locations in the Amazon biome showed low genetic diversity indexes with significant levels of inbreeding. The advance of urban areas, events of burning, and expansion of agricultural activities are most probably the main factors for the genetic diversity reduction of P. insignis. Approaches to functional analysis showed that most of the outlier loci found may be related to genes involved in cellular and metabolic processes.

Abstract Knowledge about genetic diversity is essential to promote effective use and conservation of crops, because it enables farmers to adapt their crops to specific needs and is the raw material for breeding. Manioc (Manihot esculenta ssp. esculenta) is one of the world’s major food crops and has the potential to help achieve food security in the context of on-going climate changes. We evaluated single nucleotide polymorphisms in traditional Brazilian manioc varieties conserved in the gene bank of the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo. We assessed genome-wide diversity and identified selective signatures contrasting varieties from different biomes with samples of manioc’s wild ancestor M. esculenta ssp. flabellifolia. We identified signatures of selection putatively associated with resistance genes, plant development and response to abiotic stresses that might have been important for the crop’s domestication and diversification resulting from cultivation in different environments. Additionally, high neutral genetic diversity within groups of varieties from different biomes and low genetic divergence among biomes reflect the complexity of manioc’s evolutionary dynamics under traditional cultivation. Our results exemplify how smallholder practices contribute to conserve manioc’s genetic resources, maintaining variation of potential adaptive significance and high levels of neutral genetic diversity.

Abstract Amazonia is a major world centre of plant domestication, but the genetics of domestication remains unclear for most Amazonian crops. Manioc (Manihot esculenta) is the most important staple food crop that originated in this region. Although manioc is relatively well‐studied, little is known about the diversification of bitter and sweet landraces and how they were dispersed across Amazonia. We evaluated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in wild and cultivated manioc to identify outlier SNPs putatively under selection and to assess the neutral genetic structure of landraces to make inferences about the evolution of the crop in Amazonia. Some outlier SNPs were in putative manioc genes possibly related to plant architecture, transcriptional regulation and responses to stress. The neutral SNPs revealed contrasting genetic structuring for bitter and sweet landraces. The outlier SNPs may be signatures of the genomic changes resulting from domestication, while the neutral genetic structure suggests independent dispersals for sweet and bitter manioc, possibly related to the earlier domestication and diversification of the former. Our results highlight the role of ancient peoples and current smallholders in the management and conservation of manioc genetic diversity, including putative genes and specific genetic resources with adaptive potential in the context of climate change.

The Brazilian palm fruits and hearts-of-palm of Euterpe edulis, E. oleracea and E. precatoria are an important source for agro-industrial production, due to overexploitation, conservation strategies are required to maintain genetic diversity. Chloroplast genomes have conserved sequences, which are useful to explore evolutionary questions. Besides the plastid DNA, genome skimming allows the identification of other genomic resources, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), providing information about the genetic diversity of species. We sequenced the chloroplast genome and identified gene content in the three Euterpe species. We performed comparative analyses, described the polymorphisms among the chloroplast genome sequences (repeats, indels and SNPs) and performed a phylogenomic inference based on 55 palm species chloroplast genomes. Finally, using the remaining data from genome skimming, the nuclear and mitochondrial reads, we identified SNPs and estimated the genetic diversity among these Euterpe species. The Euterpe chloroplast genomes varied from 159,232 to 159,275 bp and presented a conserved quadripartite structure with high synteny with other palms. In a pairwise comparison, we found a greater number of insertions/deletions (indels = 93 and 103) and SNPs (284 and 254) between E. edulis/E. oleracea and E. edulis/E. precatoria when compared to E. oleracea/E. precatoria (58 indels and 114 SNPs). Also, the phylogeny indicated a closer relationship between E. oleracea/E. precatoria. The nuclear and mitochondrial genome analyses identified 1,077 SNPs and high divergence among species (FST = 0.77), especially between E. edulis and E. precatoria (FST = 0.86). These results showed that, despite the few structural differences among the chloroplast genomes of these Euterpe palms, a differentiation between E. edulis and the other Euterpe species can be identified by point mutations. This study not only brings new knowledge about the evolution of Euterpe chloroplast genomes, but also these new resources open the way for future phylogenomic inferences and comparative analyses within Arecaceae.

Astrocaryum aculeatum, a palm tree incipiently domesticated from upland ecosystems in the Brazilian Amazon, is especially adapted to anthropized areas. The pulp of the fruit, obtained by extractivism, is consumed fresh by the Amazonian population. The objective of the study is to evaluate the diversity and genetic structure of the natural populations of A. aculeatum, exploited by extractive farmers in Amazonas, Brazil, seeking to suggest conservation and management strategies for this species. A total of 218 plants were sampled in 15 populations in 14 municipalities in the state of Amazonas, evaluated by 12 microsatellite loci. A total of 101 alleles were observed. The means of the observed heterozygosities (HO = 0.6390) were higher than expected (HE = 0.557), with high levels of heterozygotes in the populations. The fixation index in the loci and populations was negative. The FST (0.07) and AMOVA showed moderate population structure. Bayesian analysis indicated the grouping k = 4 as the most adequate. There is a high genetic diversity in populations, with a moderate genetic structure due to possible historical events, which could be related to the process of subpopulation formation, possibly presenting three historical moments: before and after the beginning of deforestation and today. The conservation and management policies of this species must be carried out at a watershed level.

ABSTRACT: Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is an arboreal species domesticated in Amazonia from its wild ancestor (B. orellana var. urucurana). Bixin extracted from its orthodox seeds is a natural dye widely used in the food industry. This study evaluated methods to overcome seed dormancy and determine the germination potential, comparing domesticated and wild annatto populations. Seeds from two domesticated-type populations and two families of a wild-type population, stored for two years after field collection, were submitted to five treatments to overcome dormancy: T1 - control; T2 - mechanical scarification (with sandpaper); T3 - mechanical scarification (with sandpaper) + immersion in water at 36 ºC overnight (12 hours); T4 - immersion in water at room temperature (23 ºC, on average) for 24 h; T5 - immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid (95 - 98%) for 15 min + running water for 3 min. Highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed in the germination percentage of annatto seeds between wild and domesticated types, and among the treatments tested. Domesticated types showed higher germination percentage (10 - 58%) over all treatments when compared to the wild type (0 - 44%). The best treatments were those performed with mechanical scarification. Given the simplicity, we concluded that mechanical scarification with sandpaper is a good alternative to overcome dormancy of annatto seeds.

Euterpe precatoria is a palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family, occurring in Western and Central Brazilian Amazonia. Its fruit, which is very appreciated in the Amazon region, produces pulp that is consumed in fresh form. Its production is carried out almost exclusively by extractive farmers. In order to establish adequate strategies to sustain this genetic resource, we need knowledge about the diversity and genetic structure in natural populations. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of geographic distance on genetic structure in the main extractive populations of E. precatoria in the Brazilian Amazon. Leaves from 377 plants were collected in 19 populations located in 16 municipalities in the State of Amazonas and three in the State of Rondônia. Twelve microsatellite loci were used to genotype the plants. The diversity and genetic structure among populations were estimated. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.97. The observed heterozygosity means (HO) were higher than expected (HE) at the population level (HO = 0.72, HE = 0.66) and fixation index (f = -0.100) was negative. The FST value (0.1820) and the AMOVA results (Φ = 0.1796) showed population structure. The populations were clustered into three groups (K = 3) in the Bayesian analysis. The Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) confirmed eight clusters, with the populations close to those identified by the Bayesian analysis. The geographic differentiation was confirmed by the groupings obtained in the Structure analysis and the DACP function. Information related to phenotypic, genetic and environmental characterization of populations is important to guide conservation and management strategies and the formulation of public species management policies in Amazonia.

Studies of genetic diversity and structure are key elements in designing effective in situ and ex situ management plans, especially for species experiencing forest fragmentation. To investigate the level of genetic diversity in populations of Trichocentrum pumilum, eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and used for genotyping 96 specimens from four disturbed populations. Low genetic diversity within populations was found (average number of alleles per locus ranging from 3.75 to 4.25, observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.238 to 0.333 and from 0.450 to 0.482, respectively). The fixation index (FIS) ranged from 0.35 to 0.47, with significant values for all populations. No genotypic disequilibrium was detected. A mixed breeding system was found through an apparent outcrossing rate estimate. Our results suggest that these microsatellite loci are suitable for genetic studies of this species, showing low within population genetic diversity and moderate structure for T. pumilum populations.

Psidium guineense Sw , popularly known as araçá, is a fruit tree there is widely distributed in Brazil and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In northeastern Brazil, araçá occurs along coast and in the Zona da Mata; its fruit looks like guava but is more acidic and has a stronger smell. There is a little information about this species, which increases the difficulty of conserving its genetic resources and exploiting araçá as an economic resource. The objective of this research was the evaluation of the genetic diversity and genetic structure of P. guineense from Pernambuco’s Zona da Mata. One hundred and fourteen individuals and 18 isozyme loci were evaluated, showing 28 alleles. The percentage of polymorphic loci ( ) and the average number of alleles per locus ( ) were 0.5 and 1.5, respectively, in this population. The expected heterozygosity , which corresponds to the genetic diversity, ranged from 0.22 to 0.23, a high value when considering that isozymes mark access from the functional genome. The differentiation index among the population was ( ) = 0.015; therefore, the populations were not different among the sampled places. The inbreeding values ( ) ranged from - 0.549 to - 0.794, indicating an absence of inbreeding and a greater - than - expected heterozygosity in all the studied populations. The estimated gene flow ( N m ) for a pair of this population ranged from 3.23 to 20.77, sufficient to avoid genetic differentiation among the population and in accordance with the values of genetic divergence found in this study.

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is a tropical American crop, commercially valuable due to its application in the food and cosmetics industries as a natural dye. The wild ancestor of cultivated annatto is B. orellana var. urucurana. Although never cultivated, this variety occurs in open forests and anthropogenic landscapes, and is always associated with riparian environments. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity and structure of B. orellana var. urucurana populations in Brazilian Amazonia using 16 microsatellite loci. We used Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) to characterize the potential geographical range of this variety in northern South America. We analyzed 170 samples from 10 municipalities in the states of Rondônia, Pará and Roraima. A total of 194 alleles was observed, with an average of 12.1 alleles per locus. Higher levels of expected (HE) than observed (HO) heterozygosities were found for all populations. Bayesian analysis, Neighbor-Joining dendrograms and PCAs suggest the existence of three strongly structured groups of populations. A strong and positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found, suggesting that genetic differentiation might be caused by geographic isolation. From species distribution modelling, we detected that South Rondônia, Madre di Dios River basin, Llanos de Mojos, Llanos de Orinoco and eastern Ecuador are highly suitable areas for wild annatto to occur, providing additional targets for future exploration and conservation. Climatic adaptation analyses revealed strong differentiation among populations, suggesting that precipitation plays a key role in wild annatto's current and potential distribution patterns.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity among native plants and some individuals obtained from crosses with unknown genealogy of C. walkeriana as well as C. loddigesii and C. nobilior and to advance towards solving the question of the genetic purity of the “Orchidglade” clone. Eight microsatellite loci were used to evaluate the genetic diversity between individuals of C. walkeriana. Microsatellites were not efficient in determining the genetic diversity between C. walkeriana groups (native and improved). The difficulty in determining the genetic distance between the different genotypes can be attributed to the complex mating system of the species and to a weak genetic barrier that facilitates the development of hybrids. Our analysis revealed smaller genetic distances between the “Orchidglade”, “Equilab”, “Kenny” and “Pedentive” clones and the species C. loddigesii and C. nobilior. Native C. walkeriana plants were genetically more distant from the C. loddigesii and C. nobilior species.

Growers appreciate Cattleya walkeriana and C. loddigesii due to striking shape and rarity. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of DNA barcode regions, namely ITS1, ITS2 and rpoC1, to discriminate between C. walkeriana and C. loddigesii species. DNA barcode regions were successfully amplified using primers designed to amplify plants. We also included sequences from public databases in order to test if these regions were able to discriminate C. walkeriana and C. loddigesii from other Cattleya species. These regions, and their combinations, demonstrated that the ITS1+ITS2 had the highest average interspecific distance (11.1%), followed by rpoC1 (1.06%). For species discrimination, ITS1+ITS2 provided the best results. The combined data set of ITS1+ITS2+rpoC1 also discriminated both species, but did not result in higher rates of discrimination. These results indicate that ITS region is the best option for molecular identification of these two species and from some other species of this genus.

Astrocaryum jauari is a non-domesticated palm that is exploited by poachers. Our objective was to investigate the organization of the genetic diversity and structure of three A. jauari populations. The study was carried out in the state of Amazonas, between the municipalities of Coari and Manaus. Nine microsatellite loci were used for the genetic analyses. High genetic variation was found, with a mean number of alleles per locus varying from 3.9 to 4.4. The average observed heterozygosity, varying from 0.71 to 0.78, was higher than expected. No spatial genetic structure was detected, since only one cluster was observed. Our results indicate a possible dispersion strategy and suggest that conservation measures of this species should focus mainly on the populations found at the end of the main river (Solimões) where most of the plant material originating from the headwaters of the tributaries of this river is concentrated.

Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the main timber species in the world with high economic value, famous for its beauty, strength and durability. The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic diversity of teak genotypes used in Brazilian plantations. Nine microsatellite primers were used to assess 60 teak genotypes, including 33 genotypes from seeds of plantations and 14 clones from Cáceres municipality, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and 13 clones from Honduras, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast and Solomon Islands. Two groups of genotypes were detected using the Bayesian Structure analysis: 80% were placed in group 1, represented by genotypes from Cáceres and one from Malaysia, and 20% allocated in group 2, composed of clones from India, Solomon Islands, Malaysia and Honduras and the clones from the Ivory Coast. Most of the genetic variability (73%) was concentrated within groups according to AMOVA analysis. Genetic parameters were estimated for the two groups obtained in the analysis of Structure. Moderate genetic diversity was found, with 4.1 alleles per locus, on average, and an average heterozygosity of 0.329, which was lower than the expected heterozygosity (He = 0.492). Group 1 showed the lowest values for these parameters. Suggestions were made concerning the identification of contrasting genotypes to be used as parents in breeding programs.

The objective of this work was to characterize morphologically and molecularly the genetic diversity of cassava accessions, collected from different regions in Brazil. A descriptive analysis was made for 12 morphological traits in 419 accessions. Data was transformed into binary data for cluster analysis and analysis of molecular variance. A higher proportion of white or cream (71%) root cortex color was found, while flesh colors were predominantly white (49%) and cream (42%). Four accession groups were classified by the cluster analysis, but they were not grouped according to their origin, which indicates that diversity is not structured in space. The variation was greater within regions (95.6%). Sixty genotypes were also evaluated using 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Molecular results corroborated the morphological ones, showing the same random distribution of genotypes, with no grouping according to origin. Diversity indices were high for each region, and a greater diversity was found within regions, with: a mean number of alleles per locus of 3.530; observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.499 and 0.642, respectively; and Shannon index of 1.03. The absence of spatial structure among cassava genotypes according to their origins shows the anthropic influence in the distribution and movement of germplasm, both within and among regions.

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit tree native from Brazil that belongs to Apocinaceae family, and is popularly known as Mangabeira. Its fruits are widely consumed raw or processed as fruit jam, juices and ice creams, which have made it a target of intense exploitation. The extractive activities and intense human activity on the environment of natural occurrence of H. speciosa has caused genetic erosion in the species and little is known about the ecology or genetic structure of natural populations. The objective of this research was the evaluation of the genetic diversity and genetic structure of H. speciosa var. speciosa. The genetic variability was assessed using 11 allozyme loci with a sample of 164 individuals distributed in six natural populations located in the States of Pernambuco and Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity within the species (e= 0.36) seeing that the most of the genetic variability of H. speciosa var. speciosa is within its natural populations with low difference among populations ( or = 0.081). The inbreeding values within ( = -0.555) and among populations ( =-0.428) were low showing lacking of endogamy and a surplus of heterozygotes. The estimated gene flow ( m ) was high, ranging from 2.20 to 13.18, indicating to be enough to prevent the effects of genetic drift and genetic differentiation among populations. The multivariate analyses indicated that there is a relationship between genetic and geographical distances, which was confirmed by a spatial pattern analysis using Mantel test (r = 0.3598; p = 0.0920) with 1000 random permutations. The high genetic diversity index in these populations indicates potential for in situ genetic conservation.

The agro-morphological characterization is fundamental in order to provide information for plant breeding programs. The aim of the present study was to characterize 146 accessions of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), based on qualitative and quantitative agro-morphological descriptors. The experiment was conducted in Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, using a randomized block design with three replicates. Polymorphism was observed among 12 of 14 qualitative characters evaluated, whereas significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for 11 of the 14 analysed quantitative traits. Genetic variance was higher than environmental variance and the average inheritability coefficients were above 80 % for all characters, which ensures the predominance of the genetic components in the differences observed among accessions. On the cluster analysis for qualitative traits the accessions were classified in two groups with a total of 18 duplicates, whereas for the quantitative traits three groups were obtained with few subgroups. The principal component analysis for quantitative traits showed great dispersion of the accessions. The most divergent group of accessions included the genotypes Mitsukasane, Mie, Tomoe mochi, Ooba kirishima and Nourin mochi 6, which showed a higher number of spicklets per plant. There is high variability among the rice accessions from the germplasm collection studied, which presents great importance for breeding programs or for genetic studies on this species.

Studies on genetic diversity and genetic structure of natural populations are important in order to define strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation actions and for plant pre-breeding programs. Aiming to assess the genetic diversity and genetic structure of three wild American Oryza species with isozyme markers, 14 populations of the diploid O. glumaepatula (AglAgl), 11 populations of the tetraploid O. grandiglumis (CCDD) and five populations of the also tetraploid O. latifolia (CCDD) were studied. They were all originated from Rio Paraguay hydrographic basin and the Amazon. Four enzymes were used and they gave 40 polymorphic bands. The most polymorphic species was O. glumaepatula, followed by O. latifolia and O. grandiglumis. A cluster analysis with the Jaccard similarity coefficient separated the diploid from the two tetraploid species, and also the two tetraploid species. This separation was also evident on a scatter plot from a principal component analysis, suggesting that they should be treated as two separate species, although further studies are necessary to provide support for this affirmative. The AMOVA analyses showed a high intrapopulational variability for O. latifolia (67.6%) and O. grandiglumis (52.2%), when compared to their interpopulational variability (32.4% and 47.8%, respectively), which suggests the hypothesis of a higher degree of outcrossing events within these species. When studying the correlation between the Jaccard dissimilarity coefficient and geographic distances, a spatial genetic structure was observed for O. glumaepatula only. These results are important for defining strategies of both in situ and ex situ conservation.

Traditional growers of the Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo State, grow and make use of several D. alata landraces. This study assessed the genetic diversity of 16 landraces, using isozymatic and morphological markers and comparing them with 19 commercial varieties of D. alata. Their distribution in different levels of organization such as households and communities of the Vale do Ribeira was evaluated. Isozymatic analyses were performed with polyacrylamide (six systems) and starch gels (one system), while the morphological analyses were carried out with 24 traits. Due to the polyploid nature of this species, the isozymatic bands were scored as binary data. Morphological traits were also scored as binary data. Principal coordinates and cluster analyses were conducted for both markers, using for the later the Jaccard´s similarity coefficient and UPGMA method. The separation of the landraces from the commercial varieties, which showed lower genetic diversity, was reported for both markers. No correlation between genetic and geographical distances was found for both data, which suggests that the observed variability is not spatially structured. Also, no correlation was found between both markers. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that genetic diversity was mainly found within households for both isozymatic (54%) and morphological (70%) markers. The results obtained for both markers revealed the importance of traditional agriculturists in the Vale do Ribeira in maintaining high diversity for D. alata, even higher than the varieties commercialized in São Paulo State, contributing for the in situ/on farm conservation of this crop.

A evolução das plantas cultivadas, que teve início há cerca de 13.000 anos, está sujeita aos mesmos processos evolutivos naturais, aliada à ação do homem de forma consciente ou inconsciente, levando à domesticação. Nesta revisão, são apresentados os principais fatores evolutivos, tais como mutação, hibridação, migração, seleção e deriva genética, que, de alguma maneira, estão envolvidos com a origem, evolução e domesticação de plantas cultivadas. São apresentados também exemplos de como esses processos influenciaram na diversidade intra e interespecífica de plantas cultivadas, com o aparecimento de novas variedades ou mesmo de novas espécies. De modo geral, tais processos atuaram na ampliação, na manutenção, bem como na redução da variabilidade genética das plantas cultivadas.The evolution of crop plants, which began at about 13,000 years ago, is subject to the same natural evolutionary processes, coupled with the action of man, consciously or unconsciously, leading to domestication. This review presents the main evolutionary factors such as mutation, hybridization, migration, selection and genetic drift, which somehow are involved in the origin, evolution and domestication of crop plants. Examples of how these processes influenced in the intra and interespecific diversity of crop plants, with the uprise of new varieties or even of new species, are also presented. In general, these processes have worked well in the increase, maintenance, as well as in the reduction of genetic diversity of crop plants.

Microsatellite markers have proved to be useful in genetic diversity assessments of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) but practical DNA extraction methods to ensure good quality and quantity DNA for these studies are yet to be established. This study compares the efficiency of three modified methodologies for DNA extraction of six sweetpotato landraces using the CTAB extraction buffer in regard to quantity and purity of DNA quantification and microsatellite band patterns. All methodologies yielded satisfactory results, but the method based in leaf tissue macerated in liquid nitrogen was deemed more adequate because of its simplicity and lower cost. However, the method based in dry leaf tissue was considered more advantageous, first because elicits practicability in the plant acquisition and drying process, especially when the collection is performed in situ, and also because its simplicity makes possible the cold storage of the dry, ground samples for future DNA extractions.Os marcadores microssatélites são úteis para a análise da diversidade genética de variedades tradicionais de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas). Para estes estudos, métodos práticos de extração de DNA precisam ser estabelecidos para assegurar uma boa qualidade e quantidade de DNA extraído. Assim, foi comparada a eficiência de três metodologias para extração de DNA usando o tampão de extração CTAB, todas com modificações. Para verificar a quantidade e pureza na quantificação de DNA, bem como o padrão de bandas de microssatélites para as três metodologias utilizaram-se seis etnovariedades de batata-doce. Os testes mostraram que as três metodologias apresentaram resultados satisfatórios. Uma das metodologias baseada em tecido foliar macerado em nitrogênio líquido mostrou-se a mais adequada devido à simplicidade e menor custo. Entretanto, o método baseado em tecido foliar seco foi o mais vantajoso devido à praticidade na aquisição da planta e no processo de secagem, principalmente quando a coleção encontra-se em condições in situ, e pela possibilidade do armazenamento refrigerado das amostras secas e maceradas para futuras extrações de DNA.

Based on nine microsatellite loci, the aim of this study was to appraise the genetic diversity of 42 cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) landraces from selected regions in Brazil, and examine how this variety is distributed according to origin in several municipalities in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Amazonas and Mato Grosso. High diversity values were found among the five above-mentioned regions, with 3.3 alleles per locus on an average, a high percentage of polymorphic loci varying from 88.8% to 100%, an average of 0.265 for observed heterozygosity and 0.570 for gene diversity. Most genetic diversity was concentrated within the regions themselves ( H S = 0.52). Cluster analysis and principal component based scatter plotting showed greater similarity among landraces from São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Amazonas, whereas those from Minas Gerais were clustered into a sub-group within this group. The plants from Mato Grosso, mostly collected in the municipality of General Carneiro, provided the highest differentiation. The migration of human populations is one among the possible reasons for this closer resemblance or greater disparity among plants from the various regions.

To assess the genetic diversity and genetic structure parameters, nine populations of Oryza glumaepatula from the Amazon biome, four from the Pantanal biome, and one collected at Rio Xingu, Mato Grosso, totaling 14 populations and 333 individuals were studied with isozyme markers. Six loci were evaluated showing a moderate allozyme variability (A = 1.21, P = 20.7%, Ho = 0.005, He = 0.060). The populations from the Pantanal biome showed higher diversity levels than the Amazon biome. High genetic differentiation among the populations, expected for self-fertilizing species, was observed (F ST=0.763), with lower differentiation found among the Pantanal populations (F ST=0.501). The average apparent outcrossing rate was higher for the Pantanal populations (t a = 0.092) than for the Amazonian populations (t a = 0.003), while the average for the 14 populations was 0.047, in accordance with a self-fertilization mating system.Utilizando marcadores isoenzimáticos, foram avaliadas nove populações de Oryza glumaepatula originárias da Amazônia, quatro do bioma do Pantanal, e uma coletada no Rio Xingu, Mato Grosso, totalizando 14 populações e 333 indivíduos, com o objetivo de avaliar a diversidade genética e a estrutura genética dessas populações. Seis locos foram avaliados, mostrando variabilidade alozímica moderada (A = 1.21, P = 20.7%, Ho = 0.005, He = 0.060). As populações do bioma Pantanal apresentaram níveis de diversidade mais altos que as da Amazônia. Alta diferenciação genética entre populações, esperada para espécies autógamas, foi observada (F ST=0.763), com menor diferenciação encontrada entre populações do Pantanal (F ST=0.501). A taxa média de cruzamento aparente foi maior para as populações do Pantanal (t a = 0.092) que da Amazônia (t a = 0.003), enquanto que a taxa media para as 14 populações foi 0.047, em concordância com o sistema reprodutivo por autogamia.

To characterize the genetic variability among species and populations of South American wild rice, eleven populations of Oryza glumaepatula, seven of O. grandiglumis, four of O. latifolia and one of O. alta, from Brazil and Argentina, were evaluated. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in completely randomized blocks with 23 treatments. Twenty morphoagronomic traits were assessed. Univariate analyses were performed with 16 quantitative traits with the partitioning of populations within species. Significant differences (pVisando caracterizar a diversidade genética entre espécies e populações de arroz selvagem da América do Sul, foram avaliadas 11 populações de Oryza glumaepatula, sete de O. grandiglumis, quatro de O. latifolia e uma população de O. alta, originárias do Brasil e Argentina. Foi conduzido um experimento em casa-de-vegetação em blocos ao acaso com 23 tratamentos. Vinte caracteres agro-morfológicos foram avaliados. Análises univariadas foram realizadas para 16 caracteres quantitativos, desdobrando-se o efeito de populações dentro de espécies. Diferenças significativas (p

We used simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to investigate the genetic diversity of 78 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) accessions (58 landraces and 20 putative clones) from traditional agricultural households from 19 local communities in the Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brazil. Eight SSR loci were assessed using 6% (w/v) polyacrylamide gels stained with silver nitrate and the accessions genotyped considering the presence or absence of bands. The results were subjected to analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and cluster and principal coordinate analyses. Spatial structure was assessed using Mantel's test to compare genetic and geographic distances. Each primer pair generated between three and ten clearly scorable polymorphic fragments. Cluster analyses showed a Jaccard's index from 0.3 to 1.0, indicating high genetic and intravarietal diversity. Accessions from all 19 communities were not spatially structured (r = 0.15, p < 0.054), with AMOVA indicating that most of the variability (58.2%) was distributed within households and only 18.1% of the variability was distributed between households within communities. The outcrossing mating system of sweet potato, and anthropic factors such as selection of different varieties and their maintenance within household small plots and home gardens, as well as an extensive exchange system between agriculturists, may all be contributing to these results.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade genética em duas populações de Carapa guianensis Aubl. (andiroba), no Estado do Acre, e comparar os parâmetros de diversidade com os observados em outras populações da espécie (no Brasil: Flona Tapajós, PA, Porto Acre, AC; e na Costa Rica). Foram avaliados 77 indivíduos adultos com sete locos polimórficos de microssatélites. Observaram-se 51 alelos nas duas populações, em que o número efetivo de alelos por loco (Âe = 3,2) foi inferior ao número médio de alelos por loco (Â = 7,3), o que indica elevado número de alelos com baixa freqüência. Os valores estimados de f não diferiram de zero, o que mostra que não ocorre endogamia nas populações. A taxa de cruzamento aparente foi alta (t a = 1,11 na população Porto Acre, e t a= 0,88 na de Rio Branco), resultado indicador de que a espécie se reproduz por alogamia. Foi observado, por meio das estimativas de Â, He (diversidade gênica) e Ne (número efetivo populacional) que as populações de andiroba, comparadas neste trabalho, tiveram padrões de diversidade semelhantes, porém, proporções de alelos raros diferentes.The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic diversity of two Carapa guianensis Aubl. (crabwood) populations, in the State of Acre, Brazil, and to compare the diversity estimations with those obtained in other populations of the species (in Brazil: Flona Tapajós, PA, Porto Acre, AC; and in Costa Rica). Seventy-seven individuals were assessed using seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Fifty-one alleles were observed in the two populations, in which the effective number of alleles per locus (Âe = 3.2) was lower than the average number of alleles per locus (Â = 7.3), which indicates a high number of low frequency alleles. The estimated f values did not differ from zero, showing that inbreeding does not occur in these populations. The apparent outcrossing rate was high for both populations (t a = 1.11 in Porto Acre population, and t a = 0.88 in Rio Branco), indicating that this species reproduces by outcrossing. Comparing the estimates of Âe, He (gene diversity) and Ne (effective population number), it was observed that the general patterns of genetic diversity were similar. However, the number of rare alleles differ between populations.

The phenotypic diversity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) landraces was assessed using morphological traits, verifying how this diversity is distributed among the households and settlements of the Vale do Ribeira, Brazil. A total of 74 accessions, involving 53 landraces, collected from 30 households distributed among 18 settlements that practice traditional agriculture in the municipalities of Iguape, Ilha Comprida, and Cananeia, as well as four commercial varieties acquired in markets of Iguape and Piracicaba, were evaluated under an ex situ experimental condition in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Nine phenological and floral descriptors, nine morphological vegetative aerial descriptors and five storage root traits were recorded. The 14 aerial vegetative and root descriptors were evaluated as binary data, totaling 74 attributes. Cluster analyses were made using the Jaccard similarity index and the UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) agglomerative method. Binary data was also submitted to a variance analysis (AMOVA). No defined groups were observed, indicating that the diversity of the landraces is not structured in space, but considerable morphological variation was found in this area (Jaccard similarity index varying from 0.12 to 1.0). Most of the variability occurred within households (64.4%), followed by the distribution among households within settlements (27.1%) and among settlements (8.4%). Thus, the traditional agriculturists of Vale do Ribeira maintain a high morphological diversity for sweet potato within their households, which can be assumed to be produced by the outcrossing mating system of this species and somatic mutation events, as well as the exchange system at local and regional levels.Avaliou-se a diversidade fenotípica de etnovariedades de batata-doce através de descritores morfológicos, visando verificar como esta diversidade está distribuída em nível de roças e comunidades do Vale do Ribeira, SP, Brasil. Foram avaliados, no total, 74 acessos, envolvendo 53 etnovariedades, coletadas em 30 roças, distribuídas em 18 comunidades de agricultores que praticam agricultura tradicional nos municípios de Iguape, Ilha Comprida e Cananéia, somadas a quatro variedades comerciais adquiridas em varejões de Iguape e Piracicaba. A avaliação foi realizada em condições experimentais ex situ em Piracicaba, SP. Foram avaliados nove descritores fenológicos e florais, nove descritores morfológicos da parte aérea e cinco da raiz. Os 14 descritores de parte aérea e raiz foram transformados em dados binários, totalizando 74 atributos. Foi realizada uma análise de agrupamento, empregando-se o coeficiente de similaridade de Jaccard e o método aglomerativo UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean). Os dados binários foram também submetidos a uma análise de variância (AMOVA). Não se detectou formação de grupos definidos, indicando que não há estruturação espacial da diversidade para as etnovariedades, mas observou-se grande variação morfológica (índice de Jaccard variando de 0,12 a 1,0) na região estudada. A maior parte da variabilidade encontra-se distribuída dentro de roças (64,4%), seguida pela distribuição entre roças dentro de comunidades (27,1%) e entre comunidades (8,4%). Portanto, os agricultores tradicionais no Vale do Ribeira cultivam em suas roças grande diversidade morfológica de batata-doce, cuja origem pode ter sido gerada pelo sistema reprodutivo da espécie por alogamia, por eventuais mutações somáticas e pelo amplo sistema de trocas entre agricultores em âmbito local e regional.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, and is widely cultivated in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the isoenzymatic variability of 200 cassava accessions from the germplasm bank of Embrapa Amazonia Oriental. Seven groups were formed according to their origin: 1-Amazonas, 2-Amapa, 3-Bahia, 4-Para, 5-Rondonia, 6-Various, for accessions with a maximum of three individuals per place of origin, and 7 - Accessions of indefinite origin. The accessions were also evaluated as a whole. For the electrophoretic analyses, samples of young leaves were used in a 12% starch gel. Eight isoenzymatic systems were evaluated: acid phosphatase (ACP), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), malic enzyme (ME), glutamate dehydrogenase (GTDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH). Analysis revealed a polymorphic locus for each system and high isoenzymatic variability among accessions. The average number of alleles per locus varied from 2.3 to 2.5. Average observed heterozigosity varied from 0.381 to 0.615 and the diversity index varied from 0.479 to 0.559. Genetic variability within groups was greater than among groups, suggesting a distribution pattern similar to what can be expected for natural populations of outcrossing plants.

A sensitividade de sementes e gemas axilares de capim-jaraguá (Hyparrhenia rufa) à radiação gama foi avaliada em casa-de-vegetação. No ensaio com sementes, foram utilizadas 500 sementes ferteis/dose que variaram de zero a 1100 Gy. A irradiação de 600 Gy foi a que apresentou LD50 aos 34 dias. Para as gemas axilares, plantas com 5 meses de idade foram irradiadas com doses de zero a 90 Gy. Os números de perfilhos antes da irradiação (perfilhamento inicial) e 93 dias depois do tratamento (perfilhamento final) foram registrados. Doses de 80 e 90 Gy foram responsáveis pela redução de 31 a 42% no número de perfilhos, respectivamente.

Mutações espontâneas ou induzidas podem gerar importante variabilidade genética, útil para muitos programas de melhoramento de plantas. Objetivando avaliar o efeito mutagênico da radiação gama em capim-jaraguá (Hyparrhenia rufa), sementes férteis foram irradiadas com 400 Gy pela exposição à fonte de 50Co. A geração M1 foi avaliada no campo. Foram registrados diferentes caracteres morfológicos,, tais como racemos divergentes, espiguetas sem arista, crescimento lento, folhas estreitas e com manchas amareladas. Não foi observada variação da época de florescimento. O teste de progênie com plantas M1 e plantas controle mostrou variações entre as progênia principalmente para o caráter racemo divergente, os quais apresentaram segregação Mendeliana em M2. A análise de saco embrionário de flores M1, pela técnica de clareamento com microscópio de contraste de fase, mostrou a presença de sacos embrionários apospóricos simples e múltiplos e uma menos frequência de sacos embrionários meióticos, indicando um sistema de reprodução apomíticos facultativo para essa espécie. Maiores investigações são necessárias para verificar se a irradiação causou uma interrupção na apomixia.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar agronomicamente 44 acessos de soja-perene (com e sem adubação). O experimento foi realizado no Instituto de Zootecnia, Nova Odessa, SP, de 21/10/82 a 27/02/86, em solo Podzólico Vemelho-amarelo, variação Laras. Os acessos foram avaliados em parcelas constituídas de uma linha de l0m, sem repetição. Os dados foram analisados através de métodos multivariados: análise de componentes principais, para a verificação dos descritores mais discriminantes e estáveis, para melhor interpretação de resultados; análise de agrupamento, usando-se distância Euclidiana média, para dados quantitativos; coeficiente de Jaccard para dados qualitativos; e o método UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average) para agrupamento dos acessos. Estes mostraram grande variabilidade. A adubação influiu de forma substancial no comportamento dos acessos, principalmente nas produções de matéria seca e de sementes e na concentração do florescimento. A duração de florescimento, de modo geral, foi maior para os acessos de florescimento intermediário e menor para os tardios. A produção de sementes decresceu dos precoces para os tardios. Recomendam-se estudos posteriores com os acessos não comerciais que se destacaram: NO 409, 410, 250,2341, 2335 e 2348.

Foram avaliados 12 acessos de Calopogonium mucunoides visando a caracterização morfológica ligada a aspectos reprodutivos e multiplicação de sementes. Inicialmente o estudo foi realizado em casa-de-vegetação, em blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições, observando-se a altura do cotilédone (AC) e o número de folhas trifolioladas (NFT). A seguir, instalou-se um ensaio a campo em blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições, com plantas individualizadas, avaliando-se: início de florescimento (IF), comprimento da vagem (CV), número de sementes por vagem (NSV) , produção de sementes (PRS), peso de 50 sementes (PS), porcentagem de sementes granadas (PSG) e porcentagem de germinação (G). Os dados foram submetidos às análises uni e multivariadas (análises de componentes principais e agrupamento), estimando-se, também, os parâmetros genéticos: coeficiente de determinação genotípica (b) e de variação genética (CVg). Os acessos diferiram entre si (P

Foram avaliados 96 acessos referentes aos gêneros Calopogonium, Centrosema, Desmodium, Galactia, Macrotyloma, Macroptilium, Neonotonia e Stylosanthes, através de caracteres morfológicos, fenológicos e agronômicos, com o objetivo de selecionar acessos que apresentem alta produção de sementes, além de bom desenvolvimento vegetativo, e tolerância a pragas e doenças. O experimento foi conduzido no Centro de Forragicultura e Pastagens em Nova Odessa, SP. Cada acesso foi representado por uma única parcela, sem repetição. Foram realizadas análises de componentes principais e agrupamento para todos os acessos e para grupos de acessos representando um ou mais gêneros. Através do descarte de caracteres, foram selecionados os caracteres comprimento da inflorescência, largura da vagem, tolerância a pragas e doenças, produção de sementes e início de florescimento, como de maior poder discriminatório. Para cada análise de agrupamento realizada, foram selecionados os grupos contendo acessos mais produtivos, de acordo com a produção de sementes, desenvolvimento vegetativo e tolerância a pragas e doenças. Foram indicados, portanto, quatro acessos de C. mucunoides (NO 1194, 1257, 1715, 1824), dois de M. axillare (NO 279, 280), cinco de G. striata (NO 1258, 1626, 1701, 1848, 1871), oito de N. wightii (NO 253, 256, 258, 344, 2282, 2330, 2348, 2349), três de S. capitata (NO 825, 1327, 2366), dois de S. macrocephala (NO 2309, 2575), e um de S. guianensis (NO 2313), num total de 25 acessos, para futuras avaliações.

Analisou-se a variabilidade existente entre espécies e entre famílias de Sesbania Scop., com relação ao grau de dormência das sementes. Foram avaliadas 13 famílias de cinco espécies de Sesbania: S. rostrata, S. exasperata, S. tetraptera, S. sesban e S. virgata. O ensaio foi conduzido à temperatura alternada de 20-30°C, durante 15 dias. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições de 50 sementes cada repetição. Foi realizada uma análise de variância, desdobrando-se os graus de liberdade de famílias dentro de espécies. Foram estimados o coeficiente de variação genética (CVg) e o coeficiente de determinação genotípica (b). Foi também avaliada a velocidade de germinação, medida indiretamente através do tempo médio para germinação das sementes. Observou-se ampla variabilidade entre as espécies estudadas (P