Ex-situ conservation of wheat genetic resources from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Wheat ( Triticum L.) is one of the major food crops of the world, and an important component of food security. The aim of this study was to collect and preserve seeds of wheat growing in eight regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Qassim, Asir, Al-Taif, Najran, AL-Baha, Jazan, Al-Madinah and Wadi Al-Dawasir) where wheat has been cultivated since ancient times. Sixty-one accessions/samples of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) were collected and placed in dry storage ( ex-situ conservation) at −18 °C (i.e. permanent storage). The accessions of local wheat have the ability to grow under harsh environmental conditions such as (high temperature, drought and salinity). Most of these samples were collected directly from farms, but a few were collected from markets. The most important criteria for ex-situ conservation is that seeds need to have a low moisture content (MC) and a high percentage viability. Seed MC was measured for all 61 accessions by the oven-drying method and seed viability was tested in three ways: percentage of germination, tetrazolium chloride testing, and X-ray radiography. The seed MC of the 61 accessions was uniformly very low (0.10–0.12%), and 97 to 100% of the seeds were viable. Thus, all 61 wheat accessions collected in this study have the initial requirements to remain viable for long periods of time in ex-situ conservation in the gene seed bank.

Population Demographic History of a Rare and Endangered Tree Magnolia sprengeri Pamp. in East Asia Revealed by Molecular Data and Ecological Niche Analysis

“…In addition, Germplasm resources and artificial seedling technology of M. sprengeri should be established [95] to improve the natural regeneration capacity of M. sprengeri and expand the range of its cultivation. Ex-situ conservation should be carried out for some populations with low genetic diversity [96], and the genetic materials of different populations should be collected as far as possible to promote the extensive exchange of genetic information among different populations.…”

Floristic Composition, Diversity, and Vegetation Structure in Wadi Al-Quwayiyah, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabya

“…Because therophytes complete their vegetative stage in seed form, they are adapted to the lack of rainfall and region dryness (Asri 2003;Abdel khalik et al 2013). These findings correspond with the vegetation spectra found in other Saudi Arabian desert ecosystems (Al-Turki & Al-Qlayan, 2003;El Ghanem et al, 2010;Alatar et al, 2012). Four distinct vegetation communities made up the Wadi Al-Quwayiyah region's vegetation: Acacia tortilis, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Zizuphus nummularia, and Acacia gerradii.…”

Floristic composition and vegetation analysis in Wadi AlFurayshah region, Saudi Arabia

“…Therophytes are adapted to the dryness of the region and shortage of rainfall because they spend their vegetative period in seed form (Asri 2003;Abdel khalik et al 2013). These results are congruent with the spectra of vegetation in the desert habitats in other parts of Saudi Arabia (Al-Turki & Al-Qlayan, 2003;El-Ghanem et al, 2010;Alatar et al, 2012). Saudi Arabia encompasses a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula, with a variety of environments and climates.…”