Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) holds significant importance as a crop globally cultivated for sugar production. The genetic diversity present in sugar beet accessions plays a crucial role in crop improvement programs. Methods and results During the present study, we collected 96 sugar beet accessions from different regions and extracted DNA from their leaves. Genomic DNA was amplified using SCoT primers, and the resulting fragments were separated by gel electrophoresis. The data were analyzed using various genetic diversity indices, and constructed a population STRUCTURE, applied the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), and conducted Principle Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). The results revealed a high level of genetic diversity among the sugar beet accessions, with 265 bands produced by the 10 SCoT primers used. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 97.60%, indicating substantial genetic variation. The study uncovered significant genetic variation, leading to higher values for overall gene diversity (0.21), genetic distance (0.517), number of effective alleles (1.36), Shannon’s information index (0.33), and polymorphism information contents (0.239). The analysis of molecular variance suggested a considerable amount of genetic variation, with 89% existing within the population. Using STRUCTURE and UPGMA analysis, the sugar beet germplasm was divided into two major populations. Structure analysis partitioned the germplasm based on the origin and domestication history of sugar beet, resulting in neighboring countries clustering together. Conclusion The utilization of SCoT markers unveiled a noteworthy degree of genetic variation within the sugar beet germplasm in this study. These findings can be used in future breeding programs with the objective of enhancing both sugar beet yield and quality.

Citrus collections from extreme growing regions can be an important source of tolerant germplasms for the breeding of cold-tolerant varieties. However, the efficient utilization of these germplasms requires their genetic background information. Thus, efficient marker systems are necessary for the characterization and identification of valuable accessions. In this study, the efficiency of 36 SCoT markers and 60 InDel markers were evaluated as part of the broad citrus collection of the Western Caucasus. The interspecific and intraspecific genetic diversity and genetic structures were analyzed for 172 accessions, including 31 species and sets of the locally derived cultivars. Single markers, such as SCoT18 (0.84), SCoT20 (0.93), SCoT23 (0.87), SCoT31 (0.88), SCoT36 (0.87) и LG 1-4 (0.94), LG 4-3 (0.86), LG 7-11 (0.98), and LG 8-10 (0.83), showed a high discriminating power, indicating the good applicability of these markers to assess intraspecific diversity of the genus Citrus. Overall, SCoT markers showed a higher level of polymorphism than InDel markers. According to analysis of population structure, SCoT and InDel markers showed K = 9 and K = 5 genetic clusters, respectively. The lowest levels of genetic admixtures and diversity were observed among the locally derived satsumas and lemons. The highest level of genetic admixtures was observed in the lime group. Phylogenetic relationships indicated a high level of interspecific genetic diversity but a low level of intraspecific diversity in locally derived satsumas and lemons. The results provide new insight into the origin of citrus germplasms and their distribution in colder regions. Furthermore, they are important for implementing conservation measures, controlling genetic erosion, developing breeding strategies, and improving breeding efficiency.

Black turmeric ( Curcuma caesia Roxb.) is an endangered perennial herb of the Zingiberaceae family. It is widely recognized for its rich phytochemical profile and therapeutic uses. Despite its significance, this crop is underexplored due to limited genomic research. To address this, we assessed the genetic variation and population structure of 54 black turmeric accessions collected from 16 districts of central India covering six agro-climatic zones using SCoT marker system. Out of 36 markers screened, 20 markers showed polymorphic and reproducible bands. These primers amplified 179 distinct fragments (150 –1300 bp; average 8.8 bands per primer) and revealed a high polymorphism rate (avg. 91.13%). The mean Polymorphism Information Content (PIC), Marker Index (MI), and Resolving Power (RP) were 0.234, 1.74 and 6.42, respectively, indicating a high level of marker informativeness. UPGMA clustering grouped the accession into six different clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 94% of the genetic variation was present within populations. Bayesian clustering identified five genetic groups (K = 5). This study is the first comprehensive use of SCoT markers in Curcuma caesia for demonstrating their robustness and reliability for evaluating genetic diversity. These findings provide insights for germplasm conservation, management strategies and future breeding programs aimed at enhancing the agronomic and medicinal value of black turmeric.

Pteridium aquilinum is a medicinally important fern with a limited range in northern Iran, increasingly threatened by climate change. Using morphological, genetic, and environmental data, we assessed differentiation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability across 11 populations. Factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) identified stipe indument, pinnule shape, and pinnae number as key traits distinguishing populations. Redundancy and association analyses (RDA/CCA) revealed strong links between both morphological and genetic variation and climatic gradients, particularly temperature and humidity, indicating local adaptation. Several SCoT loci were detected as adaptive outliers. Spatial PCA showed that variation is shaped by both global and local spatial factors, forming clines and local variants. Populations varied in sensitivity and adaptive capacity; populations 2, 3, 7, and 8 exhibited the lowest adaptive indices and highest vulnerability. Connectivity modeling suggested that while some populations (e.g., 2, 4, and 6) may maintain or slightly improve connectivity, others risk isolation under future climates. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated a positive genetic contribution to adaptation, while differential equation modeling (DEM) predicted logistic growth with temporary instability and genetic decline in vulnerable groups. Overall, findings highlight spatially uneven adaptive responses and recommend targeted conservation through connectivity enhancement, assisted gene flow, and ex-situ preservation of adaptive genotypes.

Sanchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng), a highly valuable medicinal plant, is at risk of over-exploitation. This study aimed to regenerate somatic embryos from stem- and leaf-derived callus, and evaluate the genetic stability of regenerated plantlets. Callus was optimally induced from stem and leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and either 0.4 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) or 0.2 mg/L kinetin, and proliferated effectively with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D combined with 0.4 mg/L TDZ or 0.2 mg/L kinetin. Optimal somatic embryogenesis from stem- and leaf-derived callus was achieved on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium containing 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1.0 mg/L benzyl adenine (BA), and 30% coconut water (CW). Genetic fidelity of embryo-derived plantlets to the donor plant was confirmed through monomorphic banding patterns of 10 Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) marker products. The genetically stable plantlets produced from stem- and leaf-derived embryos significantly improved the propagation efficiency of this species.

Background Dactylis glomerata L. (Orchard grass) is a widely cultivated forage crop known for its rich nutritional value, making it an ideal daily feed for livestock. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 180 orchard grass accessions using 12 highly polymorphic Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers. Results A total of 244 reproducible bands were generated with an average polymorphism rate of 85.47%, and the number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from 11 to 29, with an average of 17.42 bands. Genetic diversity values varied, with the highest (0.389) recorded for SCoT 8 and the lowest (0.253) for SCoT 4. Shannon’s information index averaged 0.47 and the mean PIC value was 0.70. The highest genetic distance of 0.81 was observed between Yozgat1 and Çanakkale3, identifying them as the most genetically divergent genotypes in the germplasm. STRUCTURE analysis classified the evaluated germplasm into two populations (Population A and Population B), which was consistent with The Neighbor-Joining tree, Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) supported this pattern, showing a general separation of accessions with some degree of substructuring. Conclusions The identified genetic variability, distinct accessions, and two genetically distant genotypes (Yozgat1 and Çanakkale3) provide valuable genomic resources for breeding programs aimed at enhancing the adaptability and productivity of orchard grass.

Background Mung bean ( Vigna radiata ) is an important, underutilized legume known for its nutritional value and ecological adaptability, making it a potential crop for combating global food insecurity, particularly under climate change stress. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of 75 mung bean accessions from seven countries using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. Results A total of 24 primers were evaluated, and 15 were selected for further analysis based on polymorphism. The primers produced 304 bands, 264 of which were polymorphic, indicating high genetic diversity among the mung bean accessions. The average polymorphism rate was 88.22%, and the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.23, suggesting moderate marker informativeness. Genetic diversity indices, including Nei’s gene diversity (h), the effective number of alleles (Ne), and Shannon’s information index (I), ranged from 0.27 to 0.42, demonstrating moderate variability in the studied population. The genetic relationship analysis using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) trees and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) divided the accessions into two main groups, with further subgroups identified, reflecting the complex genetic structure within the germplasm. The study also identified significant intra-population variation (87%), indicating substantial genetic admixture. Conclusions These results provide insights into the genetic resources of mung bean, supporting the development of breeding programs aimed at enhancing climate resilience, yield stability, and nutritional quality. The findings underscore the importance of conserving and utilizing genetic diversity in mung beans to ensure food security in the face of environmental challenges.

In a 2021 field study conducted in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we evaluated the genetic purity and agronomic characteristics of eight inbred sweet corn lines ( Zea mays L. var. saccharata ) for the S7 generation. This study used growth, yield traits, and genotypic assessment using SCoT molecular markers to identify lines ideal for breeding high-vigor F1 varieties. The lines demonstrated robust growth, yielding between 7.8 and 11.6 tons per hectare, with a Brix degree ranging from 11.0% to 12.9%, indicating their suitability for fresh consumption. All lines showed high phenotypic uniformity, with standard error levels below 1 and a coefficient of variation below 5% for key traits such as plant height, ear height, ear weight, and ear diameter. The genetic purity of these lines, as confirmed by SCoT marker analysis, varied from 0.81 to 1, making them excellent candidates for inclusion in F1 breeding programs targeted at Southeast Vietnam.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key food crop, accounting for approximately 765 million tons produced worldwide. The present study evaluated 16 wheat genotypes using 19 morphological and phenological traits, 16 molecular markers (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats and Start Codon Targeted; ISSR and SCoT) and rbcL and matK plastid gene barcoding. The 16 wheat genotypes showed significant genetic variation using the markers assayed. Cell plot of phenological parameters revealed significant differences among the 16-day-old seedlings of wheat genotypes at Z1.1 growth stage. Collectively, W2 genotype had the lowest shoot length (SL), length of first internodes (LFI) and leaf area (LA) values, while W8 genotype had the highest diameter of first internode (DFI) and LA values. Furthermore, W7 genotype had the maximum plant biomass (PB) and leaf width (LW) values. Geometric models grouped wheat kernels into “rounded” and “nearly elongated”. Estimates of heritability (H2) for these morphological characters ranged from 4.93 to 100%. The highest H2 values were recorded for root number (RN) (100%) followed by SL (88.72%), LFI (88.30%), LA (87.76%) and Feret diameter (86.68%), while the lowest H2 value was recorded for DFI (4.93%). Furthermore, highly significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations were also observed among those traits. Reproducible fingerprinting profiles and high levels of polymorphism (PPB%) of SCoT (95.46%) and ISSR (82.41%) were recorded, indicating that they are effective tools for detecting genetic variation levels among wheat genotypes. The informativeness of markers were measured through estimation of polymorphic information content (PIC), resolving power (RP) and marker index (MI). The RP and PPB% of SCoT were significantly higher compared to those of ISSR. Comparatively, the two molecular markers were effective for studying genetic diversity among wheat genotypes, but SCoT markers were more informative. Moreover, based on the two chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL and matK), MatK was found to be more reliable for differentiating among T. aestivum genotypes. Taken together, using all the studied attributes, a clear taxonomic relationship can be used to identify T. aestivum species and improve their pragmatic production and development.

Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.)(V. faba ), an essential legume in Egypt, is severely impacted by broomrape ( Orobanche crenata ) (O.  crenata ), a parasitic weed that feeds on roots, making chemical control difficult without harming the crop. Three faba bean genotypes (Giza-843, Misr-3, and Sakha-3) along with nine pure lines were evaluated for resistance to broomrape in field trials (2021–2023) using gene barcoding (rbcL, rpoC1), ten Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers, and phonological and agronomic traits to identify resistance sources. Five faba bean genotypes—Giza 843, Lines 2, 7, 8, and 9—significantly reduced all broomrape growth and productivity traits. Line 5 had the lowest spike length, fresh and dry spike weight, number of spikes/m 2 , and number of capsules/spike across both seasons. Genotypes Line 5, Line 6, and Misr 3 exhibited the highest seed yield per plot and hectare under normal and broomrape-infested conditions. Line 4 showed the lowest yield reductions, followed by Lines 9 and 8. The study generated 103 amplicons with a polymorphism rate of 51.46%, with SCoT-10 being the most informative marker, revealing 69% polymorphism and affecting 13 amplicons. Three faba bean genotypes showed significant genetic diversity, high seed output, and effectively reduced broomrape growth, highlighting their potential for genetic improvement and sustainable use in future research. Four faba bean genotypes, namely Sakha 3, Line 2, Line 4, and Line 9, are promising genotypes for combating broomrape infestation.