Genetic diversity and population structure of Cynara cardunculus L. in southern Portugal

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 9;16(6):e0252792. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252792. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Cynara cardunculus L. is a cardoon species native to the Mediterranean region, which is composed of three botanical taxa, each having distinct biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to examine wild populations of C. cardunculus established in Portugal, in order to determine their genetic diversity, geographic distribution, and population structure. Based on SSR markers, 121 individuals of C. cardunculus from 17 wild populations of the Portuguese Alentejo region were identified and analysed. Ten SSRs were found to be efficient markers in the genetic diversity analysis. The total number of alleles ranged from 9 to 17 per locus. The expected and observed means in heterozygosity, by population analysed, were 0.591 and 0.577, respectively. The wild population exhibited a high level of genetic diversity at the species level. The highest proportion of genetic variation was identified within a geographic group, while variation was lower among groups. Geographic areas having highest genetic diversity were identified in Alvito, Herdade da Abóboda, Herdade da Revilheira and Herdade de São Romão populations. Moreover, significant genetic differentiation existed between wild populations from North-Alentejo geographic locations (Arraiolos, Évora, Monte da Chaminé) and Centro Hortofrutícola, compared with other populations. This study reports genetic diversity among a representative number of wild populations and genotypes of C. cardunculus from Portugal. These results will provide valuable information towards future management of C. cardunculus germplasm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Cynara / classification
  • Cynara / genetics*
  • DNA, Plant / analysis
  • DNA, Plant / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • Geography
  • Mediterranean Region
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Population Dynamics
  • Portugal
  • Seasons
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • DNA, Plant

Grants and funding

The present work was supported by Program Alentejo 2020, through the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) (https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/pt/funding/erdf/) under the scope of ValBioTecCynara – Economic Valorisation of Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus): Study of natural variability and biotechnological applications (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000038) and MedCynaraBioTec – Selection of Cynara cardunculus genotypes for new biotechnological applications: the value chain improvement of cardoon, a well-adapted Mediterranean crop (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER039495). Authors also acknowledge FCT (https://www.fct.pt/) to Contrato – Programa to LM (CEECINST/00131/2018), PhD grant to AP (SFRH/BD/145383/2019), and TB (SFRH/BD/110969/2015). This work was also funded through FCT under the project UIDB/05183/2020 to Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED) (https://www.med.uevora.pt/pt/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.