ISHS Acta Horticulturae 730: VI International Symposium on Artichoke, Cardoon and Their Wild Relatives
MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF AUTOCHTHONOUS SICILIAN GLOBE ARTICHOKES GROWN IN FAMILY GARDENS |
| Authors: | R. Mauro, A. Ierna, E. Portis, S. Lanteri, G. Mauromicale |
| Keywords: | Cynara cardunculus L., Germplasm, Genetic variability, Molecular markers, AFLP |
| Abstract:
Recent studies indicate that Southern Italy and Sicily are thought to be the origin of globe artichoke domestication from its ancestor wild cardoon. Indeed, Italy has the richest globe artichoke primary cultivated gene pool and harbours many distinct clonal varietal groups classified on the basis of capitulum appearance or harvest time. At present Italian germplasm is at risk of genetic erosion due to the recent introduction of varieties selected abroad, as well as the concentration on a limited number of varietal types best fitting market demand. The aim of this study was to assess the level of genetic variation in autochthonous globe artichoke germplasm grown in family gardens in Sicily. Twenty-five accessions were collected and characterized for morphological characters as well as by applying AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers. Some accessions of wild cardoon were also included as a reference for the molecular analysis. Our results show that the use of AFLP is suitable for precisely characterizing local artichoke selection, for synonymy identification as well as for phylogenetic studies. Furthermore molecular and morphological data supply important information for the implementation of 'on farm' germplasm preservation strategies. | |
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