Assessment of genetic fidelity among Agave tequilana plants propagated asexually via rhizomes versus in vitro culture

Abstract

Agave tequilana is a species of great economic importance for the Mexican society. Like most agaves, it can be propagated either sexually or asexually. However, plants originating from rhizomes are mainly used for commercial production. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic fidelity of plants that were obtained from the field and propagated from rhizomes and of those propagated by in vitro culture methods (somatic embryogenesis and proliferation of axillary buds). We used an inverse ISTR (sequence-tagged repeat) molecular marker based on retrotransposon sequences to detect variability among related individual plants. Cluster analysis showed that plants could be grouped according to the propagation method employed. Plants propagated by the same in vitro method were found to be distinct from those propagated in the field. Even within each method, plants were not genetically identical. Genomic changes were evidenced not only in plants subjected to somaclonal variation in vitro but were also evident in those propagated through the natural asexual process, despite the fact that they were considered true clones. The differences observed in plants confirm the existence of asexual genetic variability.

De novo transcriptome assembly of drought tolerant CAM plants, Agave deserti and Agave tequilana

“…Most plant transposable elements (TEs) are transcriptionally silent [45], they constitute a significant proportion of Agave genomes [28] and contribute to the creation of genetic diversity in many plants [46] including Agave [47,48]. We identified TE-like sequences in agaves (Methods) (Additional file 1: Table S8), the majority of which are derived from retrotransposons (Additional file 1: Table S8).…”

Plant growth regulators optimization for maximize shoots number in Agave americana L. by indirect organogenesis

“…However genetic studies are necessary to determine the somaclonal variation. Genomic changes have been reported in A. tequilana Weber not only in micropropagated plants, but also in those propagated through natural asexual processes (Torres- Morán et al 2010). Asexual genetic variability has also been reported in A. fourcroydes (Infante et al 2003) and A. cupreata Trel et Berger (Martínez-Palacios et al 2011).…”

Analysis of Two Clonal Lines (Embryogenic and Non-Embryogenic) of <i>Agave fourcroydes</i> Using AFLP and MSAP

“…It has been reported that the stress occasioned by these conditions may produce gene mutations, epigenetic changes, and activation of transposable elements, leading to somaclonal variation [43] In agaves, genetic fidelity in plants generated by in vitro culture has been studied in A. fourcroydes [48] and A. tequilana [49] [50]. Using AFLP as a molecular marker, González et al fourcroydes, a value that is much lower than those found in this work (55.04% for K33 and 64.73% for K7).…”