Ezgi Cabuk Sahin

Background The genus Colchicum, belonging to the family Colchicaceae, holds significant economic and medicinal value globally. However, precise identification of many species within this genus is challenging. In order to address this obstacle, we carried out a study involving 155 genotypes from various locations in Türkiye to assess the effectiveness of DNA barcoding, specifically utilizing the matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA chloroplast DNA (cp-DNA) barcode regions, by comparing their effectiveness in distinguishing Colchicum species. Methods and results Following PCR amplification and sequence analysis, multiple sequence alignment was conducted. Stop codons were detected and sequences were cleaned. Conserved region identification, and GC content analysis were carried out. Species discrimination was analysed (best match, best close-match, all species barcodes functions). The Wilcoxon Ranked Sum test was used to assess differences in genetic variation within and between species. As a result, trnH-psbA emerged as the most effective locus for species differentiation, with significantly higher intra-specific (mean: 3.915) and inter-specific distances (maximum: 1.844) compared to matK and rbcL. matK displayed moderate identification success rates, while rbcL had the lowest performance. trnH-psbA excelled in the ‘best match’ and ‘best close match’ categories; rbcL recorded the highest incorrect identification rates. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of DNA barcoding, specifically the trnH-psbA locus, in distinguishing Colchicum species. The locus shows significantly higher genetic distances than the matK and rbcL loci, underscoring its effectiveness for species identification. These insights are crucial for comprehending the genetic diversity of Colchicum species and enhancing resources for future taxonomy and conservation efforts.

Colchicum has played a vital role in the field of medicine due to its inherent properties, with its importance extending from the past to the present. DNA barcoding is an effective tool for the identification and conservation of plant species. This study tested the application of the 18S rRNA gene for the phylogenetic construction of Colchicum species. The phylogenetic UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) tree and STRUCTURE analysis were conducted to assess the consistency of the results for 33 Colchicum specimens and one outgroup species, utilizing the 18S rRNA partial gene. The results of the study showed that DNA barcoding using 18S rRNA was an effective method for identifying Colchicum species, with 97.76% of the tested sequences being successfully determined. This study contributes to the field of phylogenetic analysis of Colchicum species by illustrating the utility of the 18S rRNA gene for phylogenetic construction, underscoring its significance in advancing our understanding of plant genetics. The nucleotide sequences obtained for species identification in this study were uploaded to the barcode of life data system (BOLD), contributing to internationally accessible genetic data.

Molecular markers play a crucial role in accelerating crop production for sustainable agriculture by identifying resistant traits and enhancing genetic diversity. In this review, we examine the impact of the molecular markers on advancing our understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, addressing the pressing imperative to bolster global food production to meet the escalating demands of the growing population. Additionally, the application of molecular markers to evaluate the genetic accuracy of plants due to genetic changes caused by somaclonal variation during in vitro propagation is mentioned. Specifically, we highlight emerging technologies like MAS, MARS, MABC, GWAS, GS, DH production, speed breeding, and genome editing, which offer promising opportunities to enhance stress tolerance and genetic integrity in crop cultivars, aiding in addressing global food security challenges. The literature search focused on studies published in the last ten years. We utilized a combination of specific and broad keywords such as genetic stability, in vitro propagation, molecular markers, abiotic-biotic stress, and plant biotechnology. In conclusion, this review analyzes the use of molecular markers in assessing the stress tolerance and genetic fidelity of in vitro grown plants.

The phylogeny of five species in the genus Pistacia was assessed using the plastid rbcL gene region. Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue and PCR analysis with primer of rbcL gene region and DNA sequencing were performed. Using obtained sequence data, phylogenetic and PCoA (Principle Component Analysis) analyses were performed for reveal the phylogenetic relationships among Pistacia species. According to the result of phylogenetic analysis, closer grouping in clades was observed between P. vera; P. khinjuk and P. atlantica; between P. palaestina and P. terebinthus. Result of PCoA analysis supported the result of phylogenetic analysis. As a result, rbcL gene region was found powerful at species-based grouping. Revealed sequence information of chloroplast gene region is reliable to elaborate a molecular database to conduct breeding programs on local pistachio gene pool.