Characterization of Some Cichorium Taxa Grown under Mediterranean Climate Using Morphological Traits and Molecular Markers

Ahmed M El-Taher; Hala A Elzilal; Hany S Abd El-Raouf; Emad Mady; Khalid S Alshallash; Rasha M Alnefaie; Ehab M B Mahdy; Osama G Ragab; Elhassan A Emam; Ibrahim A Alaraidh; Timothy O Randhir; Mohamed F M Ibrahim

doi:10.3390/plants12020388

Characterization of Some Cichorium Taxa Grown under Mediterranean Climate Using Morphological Traits and Molecular Markers

Plants (Basel). 2023 Jan 13;12(2):388. doi: 10.3390/plants12020388.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
² Department of Science and Technology, College of Ranyah, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
³ Biology Department, University College, Taif University, Turaba 29731, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
⁶ College of Science and Humanities-Huraymila, Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Biology Department, Faculty of Science Albaha University, Albaha 65779, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ National Gene Bank (NGB), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza 12619, Egypt.
⁹ Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys Branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
¹⁰ Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
¹¹ Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia.
¹² Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.

Abstract

The verification of taxonomic identities is of the highest significance in the field of biological study and categorization. Morpho-molecular characterization can clarify uncertainties in distinguishing between taxonomic groups. In this study, we characterized five local taxa of the genus Cichorium using morphological and molecular markers for taxonomic authentication and probably future genetic improvement. The five Cichorium taxa grown under the Mediterranean climate using morphological traits and molecular markers showed variations. The examined taxa showed a widespread range of variations in leaf characteristics, i.e., shape, type, texture, margin, and apex and cypsela characteristics i.e., shape, color, and surface pattern. The phylogenetic tree categorized the Cichorium intybus var. intybus and C. intybus var. foliosum in a single group, whereas C. endivia var. endivia was grouped separately. However, C. endivia var. crispum and C. endivia subsp. pumilum were classified as a cluster. The recorded variance between classes using the molecular markers SCoT, ISSR, and RAPD was documented at 34.43%, 36.62%, and 40.34%, respectively. Authentication using molecular tools proved the usefulness of a dichotomous indented key, as revealed by morphological identification. The integrated methodology using morphological and molecular assessment could support improved verification and authentication of the various taxa of chicory. It seems likely that the Egyptian chicory belongs to C. endivia subsp. pumilum.

Keywords: SEM; chicory; molecular authentication; morphological description.

Grants and funding

Partial support is provided to T.O.R and E.M. by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, CSREES, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), under Project MAS00045.