Analysis and evaluation of Camellia oleifera Abel. Germplasm fruit traits from the high-altitude areas of East Guizhou Province, China.

Camellia oleifera, a significant woody edible oil species, was examined using 48 germplasm resources from high-altitude regions in East Guizhou Province, China, to analyze fruit quality. The analysis aimed to identify high-performance germplasm, providing theoretical and research foundations for selecting and cross-breeding superior C. oleifera varieties in these regions. Fifteen primary traits of mature fruits were measured and analyzed, including four phenotypic traits (single fruit weight, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, peel thickness) and eleven quality traits (fresh seed yield rate, dry seed yield rate, dry kernel yield rate, seed kernel oil content, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, cis-11-eicosenoic acid). A comprehensive evaluation employing cluster and principal component analyses (PCA) was conducted. The cluster analysis categorized the germplasms into five groups at a squared Euclidean distance of 14, with the first category comprising 17 germplasms, the second 28, and the third, fourth, and fifth each containing one. PCA reduced the 15 traits to five principal components (PCs), with PC1 having the highest eigenvalue of 3.57 and a contribution rate of 23.8%, mainly representing phenotypic traits. PC2, contributing 20.44%, represented linoleic acid, while PC3, PC4, and PC5, with contribution rates of 12.99%, 9.13%, and 7.45% respectively, predominantly represented seed kernel oil content, fresh seed yield, and palmitoleic acid. Employing a weighted sum method, a comprehensive evaluation function was developed to calculate total scores for each superior individual, forming the basis for rankings and selections. Notable variability was detected in single fruit weight, peel thickness, and fresh and dry seed yields, while oleic acid exhibited the lowest coefficient of variation. Dry seed yield showed a robust positive correlation with seed kernel oil content and the concentrations of palmitic and linoleic acids, whereas seed kernel oil content was inversely correlated with cis-11-eicosenoic acid levels. Five PCs with eigenvalues > 1 were identified, highlighting the top ten superior individuals: QD (Qian Dong: the code of eastern Guizhou Province)-33 > QD-34 > QD-48 > QD-38 > QD-27 > QD-15 > QD-35 > QD-5 > QD-14 > QD-36. Thus, the 48 C. oleifera germplasms from East Guizhou's high-altitude areas demonstrate significant potential for enhancing traits such as single fruit weight, peel thickness, and fresh and dry seed yields. Specifically, QD-33, QD-34, and QD-48 exhibited superior comprehensive performance, designating them as prime candidates for variety selection and breeding.

Wild rice: unlocking the future of rice breeding.

Germplasm resources serve as the foundations of advancements in breeding and are crucial for maintaining food security. Wild rice species of the genus Oryza include rich sources of genetic diversity and high adaptability, making them a substantial resource for rice breeding. The discovery of wild-type cytoplasmic male sterility resources enabled the achievement of the 'three lines' goal in hybrid rice, significantly increasing rice yields. The application of resistance alleles from wild rice enables rice production to withstand losses caused by stress. Reduced genetic diversity due to rice breeding poses a significant limitation to further advances and can be alleviated through a systematic use of wild genetic resources that integrate geographic, climatic and environmental data of the original habitat, along with extensive germplasm collection and identification using advanced methods. Leveraging technological advancements in plant genomics, the understanding of genetic mechanisms and the application of artificial intelligence and gene editing can further enhance the efficiency and accuracy of this process. These advancements facilitate rapid isolation and functional studies of genes, and precise genome manipulation. This review systematically summarizes the utilization of superior genes and germplasm resources derived from wild rice sources, while also exploring the collection, conservation, identification and utilization of further wild rice germplasm resources. A focus on genome sequencing and biotechnology developments is leading to new breeding and biotechnology opportunities. These new opportunities will not only promote the development of rice varieties that exhibit high yields, superior stress resistance and high quality but also expand the genetic diversity among rice cultivars.

Assessment and phenotypic identification of millet germplasm (Setaria italica L.) in Liaoning, China.

Aims: This study evaluated millet germplasms in Liaoning Province to support the collection, preservation and innovation of millet germplasm resources. Methods: The study was conducted from 2018 to 2020, involved the selection of 105 millet germplasm resources from the Germplasm Bank of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (LAAS), the observation and recording of 31 traits, and the application of multivariate analysis methods to assess phenotypic diversity. Results: From the diversity analysis and correlation analysis, it was found that the tested traits had abundant diversity and complex correlations among them. Principal component analysis (PCA) comprehensively analyzed all quantitative traits and extracted seven principal components. Grey relational analysis (GRA) highlighted the varied contributions of different traits to yield. Through systematic cluster analysis (SCA), the resources were categorized into six groups at Euclidean distance of 17.09. K-mean cluster analysis determined the distribution interval and central value of each trait, then identified resources with desirable traits. Conclusion: The results revealed resources that possess characteristics such as upthrow seedling leaves, more tillers and branches, larger and well-formed ears, and lodging resistance prefer to higher grain yield. It was also discovered that the subear internode length (SIL) could be an indicator for maturity selection. Four specific resources, namely, Dungu No. 1, Xiao-li-xiang, Basen Shengu, and Yuhuanggu No. 1, were identified for further breeding and practical applications.

Advances in genome sequencing and artificially induced mutation provides new avenues for cotton breeding.

Cotton production faces challenges in fluctuating environmental conditions due to limited genetic variation in cultivated cotton species. To enhance the genetic diversity crucial for this primary fiber crop, it is essential to augment current germplasm resources. High-throughput sequencing has significantly impacted cotton functional genomics, enabling the creation of diverse mutant libraries and the identification of mutant functional genes and new germplasm resources. Artificial mutation, established through physical or chemical methods, stands as a highly efficient strategy to enrich cotton germplasm resources, yielding stable and high-quality raw materials. In this paper, we discuss the good foundation laid by high-throughput sequencing of cotton genome for mutant identification and functional genome, and focus on the construction methods of mutant libraries and diverse sequencing strategies based on mutants. In addition, the important functional genes identified by the cotton mutant library have greatly enriched the germplasm resources and promoted the development of functional genomes. Finally, an innovative strategy for constructing a cotton CRISPR mutant library was proposed, and the possibility of high-throughput screening of cotton mutants based on a UAV phenotyping platform was discussed. The aim of this review was to expand cotton germplasm resources, mine functional genes, and develop adaptable materials in a variety of complex environments.

Exploring genetic diversity and population structure in Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl germplasm in China through phenotypic, chemical component, and molecular marker analyses.

Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl, a tropical aromatic evergreen tree belonging to the Lauraceae family, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also a traditional spice used worldwide. However, little is currently known about the extent of the genetic variability and population structure of C. cassia. In this study, 71 individuals were collected from seven populations across two geographical provinces in China. Nine morphological features, three chemical components, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used in an integrated study of C. cassia germplasm variations. Remarkable genetic variation exists in both phenotypic and chemical compositions, and certain traits, such as leaf length, leaf width, volatile oil content, and geographic distribution, are correlated with each other. One-year-old C. cassia seedling leaf length, leaf width, elevation, and volatile oil content were found to be the main contributors to diversity, according to principal component analysis (PCA). Three major groupings were identified by cluster analysis based on the phenotypic and volatile oil data. This was in line with the findings of related research using 1,387,213 SNP markers; crucially, they all demonstrated a substantial link with geographic origin. However, there was little similarity between the results of the two clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the genetic diversity of C. Cassia populations was low, primarily among individuals within populations, accounting for 95.87% of the total. Shannon's information index (I) varied from 0.418 to 0.513, with a mean of 0.478 (Na=1.860, Ne =1.584, Ho =0.481, He =0.325, and PPB =86.04%). Genetic differentiation across populations was not significant because natural adaptation or extensive exchange of seeds among farmers between environments, thus maintaining the relationship. Following a population structure analysis using the ADMIXTURE software, 71 accessions were found to be clustered into three groups, with 38% of them being of the pure type, a finding that was further supported by PCA. Future breeding strategies and our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within the C. cassia population would benefit greatly from a thorough investigation of phenotypic, chemical, and molecular markers.

Isolation and Evaluation of Erinacine A Contents in Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus Strains.

Hericium erinaceus has long been favored for its remarkable nutritional and health-promoting benefits, and erinacine A is the key component responsible for the neuroprotective properties of H. erinaceus. Establishing an efficient method for separating erinacine A from H. erinaceus and screening the erinacine A-enriched strains is crucial to maximizing its benefits. Herein, we first reported that high-speed counter current chromatography (HSCCC) is an effective method for separating high-purity erinacine A. Using a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (4.5:5:4.5:5, v/v/v/v), erinacine A with a purity of over 95% was separated. Then, we evaluated the content and yield of erinacine A in the liquid-fermented mycelia of Hericium germplasms. Both the content and yield of erinacine A varied greatly among the surveyed strains. The significant effect of the strain on the erinacine A content and yield was revealed by an analysis of variance. The highest erinacine A content and yield were observed in the mycelia of a wild strain HeG, reaching 42.16 mg/g and 358.78 mg/L, which is superior to the current highest outcomes achieved using submerged cultivation. The isolation method established and the strains screened in this study can be beneficial for the scaling up of erinacine A extraction and nutraceutical development to industrial levels.

[Genetic background of lily germplasm resources based on SSR markers].

To study the genetic background of lily (Lilium spp.) germplasm resources, and accurately evaluate and select excellent germplasm for genetic improvement of lily, we analyzed the genetic background of 62 lily germplasm accessions from 11 provinces of China by using simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. The results showed that 15 out of 83 pairs of lily SSR primers were polymorphic. A total of 157 allelic loci were amplified, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 5 to 19 and the average number of effective alleles per locus being 4.162 8. The average observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity were 0.228 2 and 0.694 1, respectively. The average polymorphic information content was 0.678 8. The average Nei's diversity index and Shannon's information index were 0.694 1 and 1.594 9, respectively, indicating that the tested lily germplasm had high genetic diversity. The 62 germplasm accessions were classified into 5 groups by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and into 3 groups by the principal component analysis. The two analyses revealed a geographic correlation among different groups. The majority of lily germplasm accessions from the same source tended to cluster together. The population structure analysis classified the lily accessions into 4 populations and 1 mixed population. The above results provide a theoretical basis and genetic resources for the precise identification and breeding of lily germplasm resources.

Bringing Barley Back: Analysis of Heritage Varieties for Use as Germplasm Sources to Improve Resistance against the Most Devastating, Contemporary Disease in Canada, Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum).

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is currently the most devastating disease for barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Canada. Associated mycotoxins can compromise grain quality, where deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered particularly damaging due to its frequency of detection. Breeding barley with a lower DON content is difficult, due to the poor adaptation and malt quality of resistance sources. A set of European-derived heritage varieties were screened in an FHB nursery in Charlottetown, PE, with selections tested at Brandon, MB, between 2018-2022. Genetic evaluation demonstrated a distinct clustering of Canadian varieties from the heritage set. At Brandon, 72% of the heritage varieties ranked lower for DON content than did the moderately resistant Canadian check 'AAC Goldman', but resistance was associated with later heading and taller stature. In contrast with Canadian modern malting variety 'AAC Synergy', general deficiencies were observed in yield, enzyme activity, and extract, along with higher protein content. Nonetheless, several resistant varieties were identified with reasonable a heading date and yield, including 'Chevallier Chile', 'Domen', 'Djugay', 'Hannchen', 'Heils Franken', 'Moravian Barley', 'Loosdorfer' with 'Golden Melon', 'Nutans Moskva', and 'Vellavia', these being some of the most promising varieties when malting quality characteristics were also considered. These heritage resources could be used as parents in breeding to develop FHB-resistant malting barley varieties.

Genomic structure analysis and construction of DNA fingerprint for four sheep populations.

The Yongdeng Qishan sheep (QS) is a sheep population found locally in China. To gain in-depth knowledge of its population characteristics, three control groups were chosen, comprising the Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep (LFT), TAN sheep (TAN), and Minxian black fur sheep (MBF), inhabiting the nearby environments. This study genotyped a total of 120 individuals from four sheep populations: QS, LFT, TAN, and MBF. Using Specific-Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing, we conducted genetic diversity, population structure, and selective sweep analysis, and constructed the fingerprint of each population. In total, there were 782 535 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations identified, with most being situated within regions that are intergenic or intronic. The genetic diversity analysis revealed that the QS population exhibited lower genetic diversity compared to the other three populations. Consistent results were obtained from the principal component, phylogenetic tree, and population structure analysis, indicating significant genetic differences between QS and the other three populations. However, a certain degree of differentiation was observed within the QS population. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns among the four populations showed clear distinctions, with the QS group demonstrating the most rapid LD decline. Kinship analysis supported the findings of population structure, dividing the 90 QS individuals into two subgroups consisting of 23 and 67 individuals. Selective sweep analysis identified a range of genes associated with reproduction, immunity, and adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia. These genes hold potential as candidate genes for marker-assisted selection breeding. Additionally, a total of 86 523 runs of homozygosity (ROHs) were detected, showing non-uniform distribution across chromosomes, with chromosome 1 having the highest coverage percentage and chromosome 26 the lowest. In the high-frequency ROH islands, 79 candidate genes were associated with biological processes such as reproduction and fat digestion and absorption. Furthermore, a DNA fingerprint was constructed for the four populations using 349 highly polymorphic SNPs. In summary, our research delves into the genetic diversity and population structure of QS population. The construction of DNA fingerprint profiles for each population can provide valuable references for the identification of sheep breeds both domestically and internationally.

[DNA barcode screening, identification of germplasm resources, and analysis of genetic diversity of Anemarrhena asphodeloides].

Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a common medicinal material used in clinical prescriptions and Chinese patent medicine. In this study, the Illumina platform was used to obtain the chloroplast genome sequences of seven kinds of A. asphodeloides from different areas. The specific DNA barcodes were screened by comparative genomics analysis, and the DNA barcodes were used to identify the germplasm resources and analyze the genetic diversity of A. asphodeloides samples from different areas in China. All the seven chloroplast genomes had a ring structure. The total length was 156 801-156 930 bp, and 113 genes were annotated, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The comparative genomics analysis showed that rps16, trnG-GCC, atpF, rpoB, ycf3, rpl16, ndhF, trnS-GCU＿trnG-GCC, petN-psbM, and ndhF-rpl32 were potential candidates for specific DNA barcodes of A. asphodeloides. In this study, the second intron of ycf3 and atpF intron sequences with a sequence length of 700-800 bp and easy amplification were selected for polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification and sequencing of 594 samples from 26 areas. The sequence analysis showed that six and eight haplotypes of ycf3 and atpF sequences could be identified, respectively, and 17 haplotypes could be identified by combined analysis of the two sequences, which were named Hap1-Hap17. The haplotype diversity(H_d), nucleotide diversity(P_i), and genetic distance of A. asphodeloides in 26 populations were 0.68, 0.93×10~(-3), and 0-0.003 1, respectively, indicating that the genetic diversity within the species of A. asphodeloides is rich. The intermediary adjacent network analysis showed that Hap5 was the oldest haplotype, which was mainly distributed in Yixian county of Baoding, Hebei province, Hequ county of Xinzhou, Shanxi province, and Xiangfen county of Linfen, Shanxi province. This study has important guiding significance for the identification of A. asphodeloides species, the protection and development of germplasm resources, and the identification of production areas, and it provides a research basis for further revealing the genetic evolution law of A. asphodeloides.

Current progress in research focused on salt tolerance in Vitis vinifera L.

Soil salinization represents an increasingly serious threat to agronomic productivity throughout the world, as rising ion concentrations can interfere with the growth and development of plants, ultimately reducing crop yields and quality. A combination of factors is driving this progressive soil salinization, including natural causes, global climate change, and irrigation practices that are increasing the global saline-alkali land footprint. Salt stress damages plants both by imposing osmotic stress that reduces water availability while also inducing direct sodium- and chlorine-mediated toxicity that harms plant cells. Vitis vinifera L. exhibits relatively high levels of resistance to soil salinization. However, as with other crops, grapevine growth, development, fruit yields, and fruit quality can all be adversely affected by salt stress. Many salt-tolerant grape germplasm resources have been screened in recent years, leading to the identification of many genes associated to salt stress and the characterization of the mechanistic basis for grapevine salt tolerance. These results have also been leveraged to improve grape yields through the growth of more tolerant cultivars and other appropriate cultivation measures. The present review was formulated to provide an overview of recent achievements in the field of research focused on grapevine salt tolerance from the perspectives of germplasm resource identification, the mining of functional genes, the cultivation of salt-tolerant grape varieties, and the selection of appropriate cultivation measures. Together, we hope that this systematic review will offer insight into promising approaches to enhancing grape salt tolerance in the future.

Characterization and genetic differences analysis in adventitious roots development of 38 Populus germplasm resources.

To select poplar clones with excellent adventitious roots development (ARD) and deepen the understanding of its molecular mechanism, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on 38 Populus germplasm resources with cuttings cultured in the greenhouse. Genetic differences between poplar clones with good ARD and with poor ARD were explored from the perspectives of genomics and transcriptomics. By cluster analysis of the seven adventitious roots (AR) traits, the materials were classified into three clusters, of which cluster I indicated excellent AR developmental capability and promising breeding potential, especially P.×canadensis 'Guariento', P. 'jingtong1', P. deltoides 'Zhongcheng5', P. deltoides 'Zhongcheng2'. At the genomic level, the cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR) analysis identified 1944 positive selection regions related to ARD, and variation detection analysis identified 3426 specific SNPs and 687 specific Indels in the clones with good ARD, 3212 specific SNPs and 583 specific Indels in the clones with poor ARD, respectively. Through XP-CLR, variation detection, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis based on transcriptome data, eight major putative genes associated with poplar ARD were primary identified, and a co-expression network of eight genes was constructed, it was discovered that CSD1 and WRKY6 may be important in the ARD. Subsequently, we confirmed that SWEET17 had a non-synonymous mutation at the site of 928,404 in the clones with poor ARD, resulting in an alteration of the amino acid. After exploring phenotypic differences and the genetic variation of adventitious roots development in different poplar clones, this study provides valuable reference information for future poplar breeding and genetic improvement.

[Genetic diversity analysis and fingerprinting of 175 Chimonanthus praecox germplasm based on SSR molecular marker].

The elucidation of resources pertaining to the Chimonanthus praecox varieties and the establishment of a fingerprint serve as crucial underpinnings for advancing scientific inquiry and industrial progress in relation to C. praecox. Employing the SSR molecular marker technology, an exploration of the genetic diversity of 175 C. praecox varieties (lines) in the Yanling region was conducted, and an analysis of the genetic diversity among these varieties was carried out using the UPDM clustering method in NTSYSpc 2.1 software. We analyzed the genetic structure of 175 germplasm using Structure v2.3.3 software based on a Bayesian model. General linear model (GLM) association was utilized to analyze traits and markers. The genetic diversity analysis revealed a mean number of alleles (Na) of 6.857, a mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.496 3, a mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.503 7, a mean genetic diversity index of Nei՚s of 0.494 9, and a mean Shannon information index of 0.995 8. These results suggest that the C. praecox population in Yanling exhibits a rich genetic diversity. Additionally, the population structure and the UPDM clustering were examined. In the GLM model, a total of fifteen marker loci exhibited significant (P < 0.05) association with eight phenotypic traits, with the explained phenotypic variation ranging from 14.90% to 36.03%. The construction of fingerprints for C. praecox varieties (lines) was accomplished by utilizing eleven primer pairs with the highest polymorphic information content, resulting in the analysis of 175 SSR markers. The present study offers a thorough examination of the genetic diversity and SSR molecular markers of C. praecox in Yanling, and establishes a fundamental germplasm repository of C. praecox, thereby furnishing theoretical underpinnings for the selection and cultivation of novel and superior C. praecox varieties, varietal identification, and resource preservation and exploitation.

Genetic diversity analysis and fingerprinting of 175 Chimonanthus praecox germplasm based on SSR molecular marker / 生物工程学报

The elucidation of resources pertaining to the Chimonanthus praecox varieties and the establishment of a fingerprint serve as crucial underpinnings for advancing scientific inquiry and industrial progress in relation to C. praecox. Employing the SSR molecular marker technology, an exploration of the genetic diversity of 175 C. praecox varieties (lines) in the Yanling region was conducted, and an analysis of the genetic diversity among these varieties was carried out using the UPDM clustering method in NTSYSpc 2.1 software. We analyzed the genetic structure of 175 germplasm using Structure v2.3.3 software based on a Bayesian model. General linear model (GLM) association was utilized to analyze traits and markers. The genetic diversity analysis revealed a mean number of alleles (Na) of 6.857, a mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.496 3, a mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.503 7, a mean genetic diversity index of Nei՚s of 0.494 9, and a mean Shannon information index of 0.995 8. These results suggest that the C. praecox population in Yanling exhibits a rich genetic diversity. Additionally, the population structure and the UPDM clustering were examined. In the GLM model, a total of fifteen marker loci exhibited significant (P < 0.05) association with eight phenotypic traits, with the explained phenotypic variation ranging from 14.90% to 36.03%. The construction of fingerprints for C. praecox varieties (lines) was accomplished by utilizing eleven primer pairs with the highest polymorphic information content, resulting in the analysis of 175 SSR markers. The present study offers a thorough examination of the genetic diversity and SSR molecular markers of C. praecox in Yanling, and establishes a fundamental germplasm repository of C. praecox, thereby furnishing theoretical underpinnings for the selection and cultivation of novel and superior C. praecox varieties, varietal identification, and resource preservation and exploitation.

[Comprehensive evaluation of Pinellia ternata germplasm resources based on phenotypic trait classification].

The evaluation of germplasm resources is the prerequisite for the development, utilization, and conservation of Chinese medicinal resources. The selection of excellent germplasm is the key to the breeding and orderly production of Pinellia ternata. In this study, 21 germplasm materials of P. ternata from major production areas in China were collected and analyzed for population diversity after phenotypic preliminary screening. The results have revealed that the P. ternata population has abundant phenotypic variation, and the phenotypic changes could be divided into five phenotypes in terms of organ trait variation. Further analysis of variation in 20 quantitative traits of the population revealed that the coefficient of variation for adenosine content(339.05%) was the largest, while the coefficient of variation for the underground plant height(16.35%) was the smallest. Correlation analysis showed that there was a strong correlation among various traits, with 52 pairs of traits showing highly significant correlation(P<0.01) and 19 pairs of traits showing a significant correlation(P<0.05). The 21 germplasms in the test could be classified into three major clusters by cluster analysis, with Cluster Ⅱ having the highest number and content of nucleosides, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with high content of nucleosides. The yield in Cluster Ⅲ was higher than that in other groups, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with a high yield. All trait indicators could be simplified into five principal component factors through principal component analysis, and the cumulative contribution rate was up to 86.04%. Further, comprehensive analysis using membership function and stepwise regression analysis identified nine traits, such as plant height, main leaf length, and underground plant height as characteristic indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of germplasm resources of P. ternata. BX007, BX008, and BX005 were identified as germplasms with both high yield and high uridine content, with BX007 having the highest uridine content of 479.51 µg·g~(-1). It belonged to the germplasm of P. ternata with double bulbils and could be cultivated as a potential good variety. Based on the phenotypic classification of P. ternata, systematic resource evaluation was carried out in this study, which could lay a foundation for the excavation of genetic resources and the breeding of new varieties of P. ternata.

Comprehensive evaluation of Pinellia ternata germplasm resources based on phenotypic trait classification / 中国中药杂志

The evaluation of germplasm resources is the prerequisite for the development, utilization, and conservation of Chinese medicinal resources. The selection of excellent germplasm is the key to the breeding and orderly production of Pinellia ternata. In this study, 21 germplasm materials of P. ternata from major production areas in China were collected and analyzed for population diversity after phenotypic preliminary screening. The results have revealed that the P. ternata population has abundant phenotypic variation, and the phenotypic changes could be divided into five phenotypes in terms of organ trait variation. Further analysis of variation in 20 quantitative traits of the population revealed that the coefficient of variation for adenosine content(339.05%) was the largest, while the coefficient of variation for the underground plant height(16.35%) was the smallest. Correlation analysis showed that there was a strong correlation among various traits, with 52 pairs of traits showing highly significant correlation(P<0.01) and 19 pairs of traits showing a significant correlation(P<0.05). The 21 germplasms in the test could be classified into three major clusters by cluster analysis, with Cluster Ⅱ having the highest number and content of nucleosides, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with high content of nucleosides. The yield in Cluster Ⅲ was higher than that in other groups, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with a high yield. All trait indicators could be simplified into five principal component factors through principal component analysis, and the cumulative contribution rate was up to 86.04%. Further, comprehensive analysis using membership function and stepwise regression analysis identified nine traits, such as plant height, main leaf length, and underground plant height as characteristic indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of germplasm resources of P. ternata. BX007, BX008, and BX005 were identified as germplasms with both high yield and high uridine content, with BX007 having the highest uridine content of 479.51 μg·g~(-1). It belonged to the germplasm of P. ternata with double bulbils and could be cultivated as a potential good variety. Based on the phenotypic classification of P. ternata, systematic resource evaluation was carried out in this study, which could lay a foundation for the excavation of genetic resources and the breeding of new varieties of P. ternata.

Germplasm resources and secondary metabolism regulation in Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) / 中草药·英文版

Ganoderma lucidum is a valuable medical macrofungus with a myriad of diverse secondary metabolites, in which triterpenoids are the major constituents. This paper introduced the germplasm resources of genus Ganoderma from textual research, its distribution and identification at the molecular level. Also we overviewed G. lucidum in the components, the biological activities and biosynthetic pathways of ganoderic acid, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the development and utilization of G. lucidum germplasm resources and the biosynthesis of ganoderic acid.

Content of mineral elements in different Artemisia argyi germplasms and their relationship with quality properties / 中国中药杂志

To clarify the content characteristics of mineral elements in different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources and their relationship with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, this study measured the content of 10 mineral elements including nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), potassium(K), calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), aluminum(Al), manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), copper(Cu), and zinc(Zn) in 100 Artemisia argyi germplasm samples. Besides, their relationship with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium was explored by correlation analysis, path analysis, and cluster analysis. The results demonstrated that the variation coefficient of the 10 mineral elements in Artemisiae Argyi Folium ranged from 12.23% to 64.38%, and the genetic diversity index from 0.97 to 3.09. The genetic diversities of N, P, and Zn were obvious. As revealed by the correlation analysis, N, P, and K showed strong positive correlations with each other. Except that Mg and Al were negatively correlated, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were positively correlated. The correlation analysis of mineral elements with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium proved the significant correlations of 17 pairs of characters. According to the path analysis, P, K, Ca, and Mn greatly affected the yield of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, P, K, and Mg the output rate of moxa, N, P, and K the content of total volatile oil, P and K the content of eucalyptol, and P, K, and Ca the content of eupatilin. The 100 germplasm samples were clustered into three groups. Specifically, in cluster Ⅰ, the enrichment capacity of P, K, and Mg elements was strong, and the comprehensive properties of mineral elements were better, implying good development potential. Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn elements in cluster Ⅱ and N and Al in cluster Ⅲ displayed strong enrichment capacities. This study has provided new ideas for resource evaluation and variety breeding of A. argyi and also reference for fertilizer application.

Evaluation of genetic diversity of ginseng fruit color germplasm resources: based on SSR analysis / 中国中药杂志

Illumina Xten was employed for shallow sequencing of Panax ginseng(ginseng) samples, MISA for screening of SSR loci, and Primer 3 for primer design. Polymorphic primers were screened from 180 primers. From the successfully amplified polymorphic primers, 15 primers which featured clear peak shape, good polymorphism, and ease of statistics were selected and used to evaluate the genetic diversity and germplasm resources of 36 ginseng accessions with different fruit colors from Jilin province. The results showed that red-fruit ginseng population had high genetic diversity with the average number of alleles(N_a) of 1.031 and haploid genetic diversity(h) of 0.172. The neighbor-joining cluster analysis demonstrated that the germplasms of red-fruit and yellow-fruit ginseng populations were obviously intermixed, and pick-fruit ginseng germplasms clustered into a single clade. The results of STRUCTURE analysis showed high proportion of single genotype in pick-fruit ginseng germplasm and abundant genotypes in red-fruit and yellow-fruit ginseng germplasms with obvious germplasm mixing. AMOVA revealed that genetic variation occurred mainly within populations(62.00%, P<0.001), and rarely among populations(39%, P<0.001), but homogenization was obvious among different populations. In summary, pink-fruit ginseng population may contain rare genotypes, which is the basis for breeding of high-quality high-yield, and multi-resistance varieties, genetic improvement of varieties, and sustainable development and utilization of ginseng germplasm resources.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Pogostemon cablin Based on AFLP Markers / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:This paper aims to study the genetic diversity of <italic>Pogostemon cablin</italic> by amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers. Method:The 12 pairs of primers were used for AFLP analysis of 212 samples from 14 varieties，and biological analysis software such as POPGENE 32，Arlequinver 3.5，MEGA 7 and NTSYSpc 2.10e were used for polymorphism parameter calculation，principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis. Result:A total of 2 238 loci were amplified by 12 pairs of primers. 2 226 of them were polymorphic loci， accounting for 99.38%. At the inter-population level，the values of effective alleles（<italic>Ne</italic>），Nei's gene diversity index（<italic>H</italic>），Shannon polymorphic information index（<italic>I</italic>） were 1.365 6±0.066 3， 0.220 7±0.036 4， and 0.343 7±0.050 2，respectively；and 1.118 5±0.038 7，0.071 3±0.023 0，0.109 4±0.035 0，respectively at the intra-population level. Analysis of molecular variance（AMOVA）showed that 71.57% of the total variation of <italic>P. cablin</italic> was of inter-population nature， and 28.43% was of intra-population nature. The 14 populations could be divided into four groups by cluster analysis. Conclusion:The results of AFLP molecular markers showed that abundant genetic diversity was present at inter-population level of <italic>P. cablin</italic>，however，relatively low at intra-population level； the genetic differentiation at the inter-population level was significant，which could provide a reference for the subsequent study of good germplasm selection of <italic>P. cablin</italic>.