Genetic diversity and population structure of wild/weedy eggplant (Solanum insanum, Solanaceae) in southern India: Implications for conservation

• DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1400403
• Publication Date: 2015-01-06T03:39:03Z
• Authors: Evans Mutegi; Allison A. Snow; Muthu Rajkumar; Remy Pasquet; Hopeland Ponniah; Marie‐Christine D...; Priya Davidar
• Keywords: Outcrossing; Weedy rice; Ex situ conservation; Melongena; Gene pool

• Premise of the study: Crop wild relatives represent important genetic resources for crop improvement and preservation native biodiversity. Eggplant ( Solanum melongena ), known as brinjal in India, ranks high among crops whose gene pools are underrepresented ex situ collections warrant urgent conservation. Knowledge outcrossing rates patterns variation populations can aid designing strategies both preservation. Methods: We used 14 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat) markers to examine diversity, population structure, 10 natural wild/weedy eggplant S. insanum = var. ) three cultivated southern India. Key results: Multilocus F ST analyses revealed strong differentiation significant isolation by distance. Bayesian model‐based clustering, principal coordinate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis grouped into major clusters, largely according their geographic origin. The were similar each other with two that occurred nearby. Outcrossing ranged from 5–33%, indicating a variable mixed‐mating system. Conclusion: Geographic has played role shaping contemporary these populations, many which excellent candidates In cases, close affinity between cultivars nearby suggests flow them. To our knowledge, this is first study investigating population‐level diversity eggplant.