Assessment of genetic diversity based on agro-morphological traits and ISSR molecular markers in einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum) landrace populations from Turkey

The aim of this study is to investigate genetic diversity in 48 einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum) landraces grown in agricultural areas of Bolu and Kastamonu. Therefore, variation in seven agro-morphological traits was investigated. Agro-morphological traits such as leaf weight (mg), coleoptile length (cm), root number (n), root length (cm), fresh root weight (mg), and dry root weight (mg) were examined by the coefficient of variation, ANOVA, and principal components analysis. The highest coefficient of variation (%) was observed in fresh root weight (FRW = 52.09%), while the lowest was in leaf weight (LW = 8.9%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was calculated as 76.93% variation in two main components. For molecular characterization, data obtained with iSSR primers were analyzed with the population genetics analysis program PopGene (ver. 1.32). According to PopGene results, the mean number of alleles, the mean number of effective alleles, and average genetic diversity values were calculated as na = 2, nea = 1.33, and h = 0.13, respectively. Among the agro-morphological traits, germination power, root number, and coleoptile length appeared to be reliable traits. The results show that the use of morphological characters alone for genetic diversity in populations is not sufficient to determine the difference between populations and their genetic structure.

Genetic variation among einkorn genotypes based on gene targeted functional markers and its possible relationship with drought tolerance at seed germination stage

BACKGROUND

Einkorn wheat is one of the first primary genetic resources for discovery of new alleles related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerances for further genetic improvements while it became more popular especially for its native grain status as healthy food resources. Therefore, this study aims to determine germination parameters of 32 local einkorn (Triticum monococcum) genotypes collected from Kastamonu and its vicinity, Turkey under drought stress conditions, and to reveal the genetic relationship of those genotypes based on drought related gene targeted functional markers (GTFMs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Germination test was conducted at 20 ± 0.5 °C in darkness with randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Seeds placed on double filter papers in a covered glass petri dishes (80 × 15 mm) were treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG₆₀₀₀) with a -0.23 MPa. The final germination percentages (FGPs), speed and span of germination parameters were determined. Drought stress severely worsened all germination parameters measured. The genotypes SG24 and SG12 were the most drought tolerant and sensitive genotypes based on 21.1% and 64.8% of reduction rates in FGPs, respectively. Twelve GTFMs produced a total of 32 bands and 26 of them were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism ratio of the markers and average band per marker were determined as 86.31% and 2.66, respectively. The highest polymorphism information content (PIC) was obtained from AIB1 gene marker (0.875).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that there was a significant genetic variation for drought tolerance levels of local einkorn wheat genotypes at germination stage and drought related GTFMs can be used not only to reveal genetic variation but also to distinguish the drought tolerant genotypes.