Comparison of morphological, AFLP and SSR markers for the protection of eggplant germplasm

Abstract

[EN] Germplasm of local materials of vegetable crops can be protected in several ways, by registering it as a conservation variety, or also by means of a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. An effective protection requires devising tools to characterize and distinguish the materials from other related or similar materials. Here, we study the utility of morphological and molecular characterizations for the protection of eggplant (Solanum melongena) germplasm. In this respect, we have made morphological and molecular (AFLP and SSR) characterizations in Spanish local materials of eggplant corresponding to three varietal groups with different characteristics: Almagro (protected by a PGI status), Listada de Gandía (internationally known striped local variety), and Spanish Black (conglomerate of different local varieties from different origins). Morphological data are useful to distinguish the local landraces from related materials. However, within each varietal group there is some morphological variation among the different germplasm accessions of each group, and also there is variation in the morphological characterization among trials performed in different years. The use of AFLP and SSR markers has confirmed the existence of genetic variation within each group. In this respect, SSRs are more reliable than AFLPs to distinguish closely related eggplant materials and have allowed detect specific universal SSR markers for the Almagro and Listada de Gandía landraces. Correlation coefficients between distances based on morphological, AFLP and SSR markers are moderate, reflecting the different genetic information provided by these three markers. The results show that morphological and molecular markers provide complementary information, and when used in combination can be very useful for the protection of local materials of eggplant.