In the current climate change scenarios, the choice of seed sources is one of the main factors affecting the establishment and productivity of plantations of forest trees. Juglans regia L. (walnut) is one of the more valuable hardwood species since it could provide high quality timber and fruits. The aim of this study was to search peculiar Italian walnut provenances as putative biodiversity sources for seed orchards and to establish new hardwood plantations. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular markers (ISSR), seed morphological traits (equatorial and polar diameter, shape, dry weight) and fruit composition (total oil, fatty acids, tocopherol) was applied to analyze samples collected in ten sites (three in Campania and seven in Abruzzo regions) and samples of four varieties (two from Southern and two from Northern Italy). Eleven selected ISSR primers exhibited a strong ability to discriminate walnut provenances. The Principal Coordinate Analysis performed on the ¦PT values divided all germplasm in four distinct groups. The genotyping results were partially confirmed by the morphological and biochemical analysis of fruits. Two walnut provenances, the first from a hilly plateau in Campania region and the second from mountainous zone of Abruzzo, shown to be different both for genetic, morphological and biochemical characters, and can be considered promising source of seed for nurseries and hardwood plantations.
Juglans regia Provenance Research by Molecular, Morphological and Biochemical Markers: A Case Study in Italy
Malvolti M E;Pollegioni P;Bertani A;Mapelli S;Cannata F
2010
Abstract
In the current climate change scenarios, the choice of seed sources is one of the main factors affecting the establishment and productivity of plantations of forest trees. Juglans regia L. (walnut) is one of the more valuable hardwood species since it could provide high quality timber and fruits. The aim of this study was to search peculiar Italian walnut provenances as putative biodiversity sources for seed orchards and to establish new hardwood plantations. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular markers (ISSR), seed morphological traits (equatorial and polar diameter, shape, dry weight) and fruit composition (total oil, fatty acids, tocopherol) was applied to analyze samples collected in ten sites (three in Campania and seven in Abruzzo regions) and samples of four varieties (two from Southern and two from Northern Italy). Eleven selected ISSR primers exhibited a strong ability to discriminate walnut provenances. The Principal Coordinate Analysis performed on the ¦PT values divided all germplasm in four distinct groups. The genotyping results were partially confirmed by the morphological and biochemical analysis of fruits. Two walnut provenances, the first from a hilly plateau in Campania region and the second from mountainous zone of Abruzzo, shown to be different both for genetic, morphological and biochemical characters, and can be considered promising source of seed for nurseries and hardwood plantations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
