Population evaluation in crop wild relatives for in situ conservation: a case study for raspberry Rubus idaeus L. in the Leningrad region, Russia

Abstract

Many crop wild relatives are usually widely distributed species, and in this relation a question arises about selecting populations of special importance for conservation. Using Rubus idaeus as an example, we propose a compound selection of wild populations for in situ conservation. Twelve raspberry populations in the Leningrad region have been evaluated from the point of view of their significance for in situ conservation. To exclude the run-wild forms from the evaluation process, we tried to identify them applying a mathematical model developed by statusmetry method. The constructed model is based on morphological features of leaves of primocanes and helps to distinguish the wild forms from the cultivated and run-wild ones. The wild raspberry populations were screened for plants with features useful for cultivated raspberry improvement such as waxy cover presence, yellow fruiting plants, spinelessness, fruiting primocanes and others. The diversity of wild raspberry populations was assessed by variation of morphological features, presence of botanical varieties and polymorphism of seed storage proteins. The results of viability status assessment for the chosen populations reflect the perspectives of their development and permit to determine the strategy and measures for optimal conservation.Keywords Crop wild relatives AE Evaluation AE In situ conservation AE Rubus idaeus AE Storage protein polymorphism AE Wild raspberry From the point of view of evolution and genetics, crop wild relatives (CWR) are the species of native flora that either belong to the same genus with cultivar, or participated in the cultivars evolution of other genus complexes. Together with the cultivated plants, CWR compose the plant genetic resources of any country that should be preserved for the future (Vavilov 1931;Brezhnev and Korovina 1981;Korovina 1986).At present the in situ conservation method is comprising of a number of measures taken to preserve the species and ecosystems in their native habitats, including maintenance and recovery of the viable populations of the target species (Maxted et al. 1997). However, many CWR are widely distributed species, and in this relation a question arises about selecting populations of special importance for conservation. Using raspberry Rubus idaeus (Rubus subgenera Idaeobatus (Focke) Focke sect. Batidaea Dumort. ser. Euidaei Focke) as an example, we propose a compound selection of valuable wild populations for in situ conservation.

Pomological Features, Nutritional Quality, Polyphenol Content Analysis, and Antioxidant Properties of Domesticated and 3 Wild Ecotype Forms of Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)

“…Wild populations of red raspberry can be found in many places, along the roads, on the borders of forests, and in forests clearings. Raspberries are known as a valuable berry plant and wild raspberry can serve as a potential source of new genetic material for cultivated raspberry breeding (Ryabova 2007). Additionally, selection of favorable agronomic traits requires data from different seasons and environmental locations before any breeder selection can proceed to finished cultivar (Woodhead and others 2008).…”

“…The raspberry populations growing wild are quite winter‐hardy and possess other valuable qualities that could be transferred to the cultivated raspberry (Viskelis and others 2006; Ryabova 2007). Yedigöl valley on the southwestern side of the Kaçkar Mountain has been one of the valuable ecoregions of northeast Turkey where red raspberries are collected and used as new genetic material for cultivated raspberry breeding.…”

The genetic structure of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) populations in Lithuania

“…Natural populations of R. idaeus can be considered a source of genetic diversity for plant breeding and the conservation of genetic resources [3,10]. However, successfully introducing genes from wild relatives to cultivated plant germplasm will require a detailed exploration of the genetic structure of wild populations.…”

“…The red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a wild relative of the cultivated raspberry and an excellent model for the study of plant adaptation to ecological conditions because it shows a wide geographic distribution and considerable ecological and morphological variation [1][2][3]. Red raspberry is a clonal, perennial plant that also reproduces with seeds.…”

Tracing the remnants of medieval raspberries using molecular markers

“…Most varieties that are present in the markets contain relatively low levels of antioxidants in comparison with wild and primitive varieties of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries (Bekkaoui et al , 2003). Wild and primitive raspberry genotypes are an important source of genes for breeding improved varieties that can resist pests and diseases (Marshall et al , 2001; Ryabova, 2007).…”