Crop wild relatives as genetic resources for pollination and herbivore resistance

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Egan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Herbivore Resistance

scholarly journals Conservation status and sustainable local use of crop and crop wild relative species in the Bistoon protected area / West of Iran

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Rostami ◽  
Korous Khoshbakht
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relative ◽  
Crop Wild Relative ◽  
Local Use

Abstract Collecting information about crop wild relatives (CWRs) as vital genetic resources for food security is the first stage of monitoring them. In this study, which was conducted in a protected area, we surveyed the conservation status of CWR sand, and the interaction between the condition of these plants and their local use. From 338 plant species in the area, 179 crop wild relatives in 38 families were identified. None of them is threatened, but some endemic rare or vulnerable plants such as Alkanna frigida Boiss. could cause some anxiety. Among these species 19 species of CWRs have edible usage in this area. Harvesting the crop wild relatives from nature by the local people is seen as a conservative factor although this is not usually true of other species.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity and Utilization of Cultivated Eggplant Germplasm in Varietal Improvement

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1714
Author(s):  
Yusuff Oladosu ◽  
Mohd Y. Rafii ◽  
Fatai Arolu ◽  
Samuel Chibuike Chukwu ◽  
Monsuru Adekunle Salisu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Solanum Melongena ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Germplasm Resources ◽  
Biotic And Abiotic Stresses ◽  
Varietal Improvement ◽  
Disease Resistances ◽  
Solanaceae Family ◽  
Point Of Departure

Eggplant is the fifth economically most important vegetable in the Solanaceae family after tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco. Apart from the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other underutilized eggplant species, the African eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) and the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.), were also cultivated with local importance where the leaves and fruits are used for food and medicinal purposes. The major objectives of the eggplant breeding program are to improve fruit quality, increase yield performance through heterosis breeding, and introduce pest and disease resistances from wild relatives. Europe and Asia hold a wide collection of germplasm resources with significant potential for genetic improvement. While cultivated eggplant is susceptible to several fungi and bacteria, many wild relatives offer potential resistance to these pathogens. In this paper, we review the genetic resources and diversity of cultivated eggplant and its wild relatives. As a point of departure, we examine the economic importance, domestication, taxonomy characterization, and relationships of the crop and its wild relatives. The importance of evaluating and safeguarding wild relatives is highlighted, as crop wild relatives are highly underrepresented. A key section in this study is an overview dedicated to genetic resources, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, pre-breeding, and breeding for sustainable eggplant production.

scholarly journals SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE VIR COLLECTION OF GRAIN LEGUME GENETIC RESOURCES AND ITS USE IN DOMESTIC BREEDING

2019 ◽  
Vol 180 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-123
Author(s):  
M. A. Vishnyakova ◽  
T. G. Aleksandrova ◽  
T. V. Buravtseva ◽  
M. O. Burlyaeva ◽  
G. P. Egorova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
The State ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Domestic Breeding

The world’s genebanks hold 7.5 million germplasm accessions of plant genetic resources (PGR). One of the qualitative characteristics of the PGR collections is the species diversity, in particular, the presence of crop wild relatives (CWR), which makes it possible to widen the use of gene pools in the breeding process. The collection of the Vavilov Institute (VIR) is one of the most diverse holdings in the number of plant species. A survey is provided here of the species diversity in VIR’s grain legume collection, and its use in domestic breeding practice is analyzed. Comparison of this diversity with the state of PGR exploitation in the world makes it possible to assess the prospects of more efficient utilization of gene pool potential, especially for species that are unjustifiably cultivated on a too small scale or even neglected as crops in this country. The VIR collection of grain legumes incorporates 196 species from 9 genera of the family Fabaceae. This number includes cultigens and CWR. The cultivars of 21 species of grain legumes listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements (2018) are adapted to the soil and climate conditions of this country. However, the species diversity of the collection could be used more efficiently in domestic plant breeding and crop production. This concerns both underutilized crops in Russia (broad beans, lima beans and grass pea) and those whose adaptive potential is adjusted only to certain and limited areas of the Russian Federation (Tepary beans and Vigna spp.). It is also necessary to exploit more efficiently species of the wild flora, both for direct utilization as pastures, green manure or phytoremediation crops and for introgressive breeding and domestication (Vicia benghalensis L., V. narbonensis L., Lathyrus sylvestris L., Lupinus hartwegii Lindl., etc.). Incorporation of crop wild relatives into the breeding process is promising for crop improvement in a number of aspects: for example, to increase resistance to diseases, pests, abiotic stressors, etc.

Climate change and crop wild relatives: can species track their suitable environment, and what do they lose in the process?

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marleen M. P. Cobben ◽  
Rob van Treuren ◽  
Theo J. L. van Hintum
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Plant Genetic Resources ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Founder Effects ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Dispersal Capacity

Crop wild relatives are an increasingly important source of plant genetic resources for plant breeders. Several studies have estimated the effects of climate change on the distribution of crop wild relatives, using species distribution models. In this approach, two important aspects, i.e. species' dispersal capacity and founder effects, are currently not taken into account. Neglecting these aspects can lead to an underestimation of the climate change-induced threat to the size of the species range and the conservation of range-wide levels of genetic diversity. This paper presents two recommendations for the interpretation of the results obtained with these models. The integration of process-based simulation models and statistical species distribution models will facilitate the inclusion of dispersal processes and founder effects in future assessments of the resilience of plant genetic resources under climate change.

scholarly journals The Role of Vegetable Genetic Resources in Nutrition Security and Vegetable Breeding

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas W. Ebert
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Complex Inheritance

Malnutrition, comprising undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and overnutrition, is more widespread than hunger per se and affects most nations around the globe. The diversity and the quality of food produced and consumed are decisive factors when addressing the triple burden of malnutrition. In this context, fruit, vegetables, and nuts are increasingly moving into the focus of the nutrition community. Agricultural policies and investments in agriculture are predominantly focused on staple food production, neglecting the economic and nutritional potential of fruit and vegetables. While global vegetables are well represented in genebanks around the globe, this is much less the case for traditional vegetables. Collecting efforts in hotspots of vegetable diversity in Africa and Asia are required to conserve this germplasm before it is being replaced by modern varieties. Home gardens, community seedbanks, and variety introduction through vegetable seed kits are ways how genebanks can link with the farming community to strengthen the informal seed sector. This in turn may result in more diverse production systems and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. In the formal seed sector, vegetable breeders need access to a wide diversity of genetic resources, predominantly farmers’ varieties, landraces, and crop wild relatives. Genomics-assisted breeding is increasingly facilitating the introgression of favorable genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with complex inheritance patterns from wild species into cultigens. This will lead to wider use of crop wild relatives in the development of resilient cultivars.

scholarly journals Cabo Verde’s Poaceae Flora: A Reservoir of Crop Wild Relatives Diversity for Crop Improvement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanézia Rocha ◽  
Maria C. Duarte ◽  
Silvia Catarino ◽  
Ivani Duarte ◽  
Maria M. Romeiras
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Plant Genetic Resources ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Foxtail Millet ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Eragrostis Tef ◽  
Cabo Verde

Africa is home to important centers of origin and diversity of crop wild relatives (CWR), including many species adapted to adverse agroecological conditions, namely drought and poor soils. Plant genetic resources from Cabo Verde Islands have been poorly explored for their potential to supplement the genetic pool of cultivated species. In this paper we identify Cabo Verde’s CWR from the Poaceae family and provide a checklist of priority CWR taxa, highlighting those of particular conservation concern and the areas which should be the focus of the most intensive conservation efforts in these islands. Our results revealed that Cabo Verde archipelago is an important center of CWR diversity of West African crop millets, namely fonio (e.g., white fonio, Digitaria exilis, and black fonio, Digitaria iburua) and other African millets [e.g., pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus = Pennisetum glaucum), teff millet (Eragrostis tef), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), barnyard millet (Echinochloa colona), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), and foxtail millet (Setaria italica)], which represent a diverse group of cereal crops, and important components in agriculture and food security of this country. Also, hotspot areas of diversity for in situ conservation were identified in Cabo Verde, as well as several populations occurring under extreme habitats conditions that are well adapted to drylands and poor soils. The evaluation of their potential for new ecologically important adaptive characteristics associated with tolerance to abiotic stresses is discussed. The survey of international Germplasm Banks revealed that very few accessions from Cabo Verde are conserved, contributing to the loss of genetic diversity of plant genetic resources in this archipelago. Particularly, the diversity of millets and the associated indigenous knowledge are critical for the food security and cultural identity of many poor farmers in Cabo Verde.

scholarly journals Crop Vulnerability: Carya

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.J. Grauke ◽  
Bruce W. Wood ◽  
Marvin K. Harris
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Asian Species ◽  
Ex Situ Collections

Long-established native tree populations reflect local adaptations. Representation of diverse populations in accessible ex situ collections that link information on phenotypic expression to information on spatial and temporal origination is the most efficient means of preserving and exploring genetic diversity, which is the foundation of breeding and crop improvement. Throughout North America, sympatric Carya species sharing the same ploidy level tend to hybridize, permitting gene flow that contributes to regional diversity and adaptation. The topographic isolation of many fragmented populations, some of which are small, places native Carya populations of United States, Mexico, and Asia in a vulnerable position and justifies systematic collection and characterization. The characterization of indigenous Mexican pecan and other Carya populations will facilitate use for rootstocks and scion breeding and will contribute to pecan culture. The Asian species, as a group, are not only geographically isolated from North American species, but also occur in disjunct, fragmented populations isolated from other Asian species. Section Sinocarya includes the members of the genus most vulnerable to genetic loss. With all species, recognition of utility based on characterization of ex situ collections may contribute to the establishment of in situ reserves. Global Carya genetic resources should be cooperatively collected, maintained, characterized, and developed. The integration of crop wild relatives into characterization and breeding efforts represents a challenging opportunity for both domestic and international cooperation. Genomic tools used on the accessible collections of the National Collection of Genetic Resources for Pecans and Hickories (NCGR-Carya) offer great potential to elucidate genetic adaptation in relation to geographic distribution. The greatest progress will be made by integrating the disciplines of genetics, botany, pathology, entomology, ecology, and horticulture into internationally cooperative efforts. International germplasm exchange is becoming increasingly complicated by a combination of protectionist policies and legitimate phytosanitary concerns. Cooperative international evaluation of in situ autochthonous germplasm provides a valuable safeguard to unintended pathogen exchange associated with certain forms of germplasm distribution, while enabling beneficial communal exploration and directed exchange. This is threatened by the “proprietary” focus on intellectual property. The greatest risk to the productive development of the pecan industry might well be a myopic focus on pecan production through the lens of past practice. The greatest limitation to pecan culture in the western United States is reduced water quantity and quality; in the eastern United States the challenge is disease susceptibility; and insufficient cold hardiness in the northern United States. The greatest benefit for the entire industry might be achieved by tree size reduction through both improved rootstocks and scions, which will improve both nut production and tree management, impacting all areas of culture. This achievement will likely necessitate incorporation of crop wild relatives in breeding, broad cooperation in the testing leading to selection, and development of improved methods linking phenotypic expression to genomic characterization. The development of a database to appropriately house information available to a diverse research community will facilitate cooperative research. The acquisition of funds to pursue development of those tools will require the support of the pecan industry, which in the United States, is regionally fragmented and focused on marketing rather than crop development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document