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Beta patula Aiton is a crop wild relative (CWR) which belongs to the Gene Pool 1b and is considered a Critically Endangered species, and is present in very specific environments, such as the Desembarcadouro islet (DI) in Ponta de São Lourenço or Chão islet (CI) in the Desertas Islands. The ISOPlexis Center (University of Madeira) has been providing continuous support for its in situ conservation by keeping a management plan of wild populations and an ex situ conservation strategy through the storage of accessions in the ISOPlexis GeneBank. The present work intends to present the spatial distribution of genetic variability and diversity in these B. patula populations using eight polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The overall results lead to the identification of three spots with a high genetic diversity. CI with a small cluster of individuals shows a genetic footprint different from DI, having unique alleles present in its population. DI has two distinct areas: the western area, with a higher individual density but with a lower genetic diversity and higher allele fixation; and the central area, with a lower individual count but with a higher genetic diversity and with the presence of unique alleles. Despite some genetic differences, the comparison of the two islets' DI and CI populations shows that they have more similarities than differences. Analysis of the Molecular Variance, based on the hierarchical cluster, showed a 9% diversity between populations, 68% among individuals, and 23% within individuals. This data will be used for the establishment of a protocol to monitor and manage B. patula genetic diversity under a genetic reserve, subsequently contributing to the European Genetic Reserve network implementation and the protection of this important CWR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the variety suitability regarding each appellation's specificities should be a strategy for maximizing the varieties' oenological potential while contributing to the sustainable production of quality wines, keeping their typicity and rationalizing winemaking costs. Thus, the combination of several grape physicochemical attributes, modulated by climate and vineyard characteristics, providing knowledge for each grape variety's oenological potential, is a relevant and reliable support for winemakers' decisions. To prove this hypothesis, six mature grape varieties from three harvests, each one from three vineyard parcels with different topographical conditions from Bairrada Appellation (Portugal), were studied using analysis of variance–simultaneous components analysis (ASCA). The effects of harvest year and parcel on grape berry weight, pH, titratable acidity, total sugars, total phenolics, antiradical activity, and volatile composition in free and glycosidically-linked forms were analyzed. The compositional plasticity of autochthonous varieties (white Arinto and Bical and red Baga, Castelão, and Touriga Nacional) was observed. Sauvignon Blanc grape composition was significantly modulated by harvest. This study represents an important contribution for the maintenance of varieties' biodiversity while contributing to establishing their peculiarities. Autochthonous varieties, if accurately exploited, can provide higher characteristic diversity than worldwide used varieties, an aspect to be more objectively taken into consideration by winemakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular plant breeding usually overlooks the genetic variability that arises from the association of plants with endophytic microorganisms, when looking at agronomic interesting target traits. This source of variability can have crucial effects on the functionality of the organism considered as a whole (the holobiont), and therefore can be selectable in breeding programs. However, seeing the holobiont as a unit for selection and improvement in breeding programs requires novel approaches for genotyping and phenotyping. These should not focus just at the plant level, but also include the associated endophytes and their functional effects on the plant, to make effective desirable trait screenings. The present review intends to draw attention to a new research field on functional hologenomics that if associated with adequate phenotyping tools could greatly increase the efficiency of breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser microdissection provides a useful method for isolating specific cell types from complex biological samples for downstream applications. In contrast to the texture of mammalian cells, most plant tissues exhibit a cell organization with hard, cellulose-containing cell walls, large vacuoles, and air spaces, thus complicating tissue preparation and extraction of macromolecules such as DNA. In this study, we report a method that allows tissue-specific gene amplification. An improved perception of genetic identity of the entire plant can contribute to improved functional marker strategies. Alternative oxidase (AOX) has crucial position for stress-induced responses/adaptation. Daucus carota sequence polymorphisms in AOX were identified, however, never at tissue/cell level. This technology will support studying AOX gene sequences in carrot organs/tissues/cells and specifically exploring differential polymorphisms in root meristem that might be associated to adaptive growth upon all kind of stresses. Details on aspects of tissue preparation, including fixation and embedding procedures, laser capture microdissection, DNA extraction, and amplification, are provided. A combination of laser microdissection and polymerase chain reaction amplification provides a powerful tool for the analysis of AOX gene amplification in methacarn-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.