ISSR and SSR Analysis of Italian Globe Artichoke 'Pietrelcina' Landrace

摘要

The 'Pietrelcina' artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) is a typical vegetable produced in a restricted area around the town of Pietrelcina in the province of Benevento (southern Italy). Besides the well-known nutritional and therapeutic properties of this crop, 'Pietrelcina' artichoke has a very special taste in terms of fragrance, softness and delicacy, so it is highly prized and much in demand. This research concerned the evaluation of genetic variability in 'Pietrelcina' artichoke populations and genetic relationships with the main artichoke varietal types. Intra- and inter-genetic variability was assessed on genotypes chosen at random on three farms in the Pietrelcina area. The DNA extracted from each individual and from artichoke belonging to the main varietal groups was examined using ISSR and SSR molecular markers. Eight ISSR selected primers generated a total of 97 amplification products, ranging from 400 to 1700 bp, 86 of which (89%) were polymorphic. ISSR markers were able to distinguish the different varietal types examined as well as intra-varietal variations. Utilizing 14 SSR primer pairs, chosen from the recent literature on artichoke, a total of 35 amplification products were detected, some of which were unique to wild cardoon or to a specific artichoke varietal group tested. The results showed very low polymorphism, both between and within the three populations of 'Pietrelcina' artichoke examined, and revealed the presence of individuals which cannot be considered as belonging to the 'Pietrelcina' artichoke landrace. The analyses carried out by both types of molecular markers revealed no amplification products unique to 'Pietrelcina' artichoke genotypes. UPGMA clustering, based on Jaccard genetic distances, grouped them together with the 'Romanesco' type, according to capitulum morphology.