| Abstract Detail
Conference Wide Mwai, G.N. [1], Oluoch, M.O. [2], Feron, R.M.C. [3], Onyango, M.O.A. [1], van der Weerden, G.M. [3], Onyango, J.C. [1], Mariani, C. [3]. Characterization of the diversity of vegetable African nightshades using morphological characters and AFLP markers. VEGETABLE nightshades are among priority micronutrient-rich indigenous leafy vegetables with potential nutritional and economic benefits to vulnerable populations. However, reports indicate toxicity in some nightshades. The nomenclature and taxonomy of nightshades is complex due to extensive synonymy, discordant variation, phenotypic plasticity, polyploidy, natural hybridization and many common/vernacular names; resulting in considerable confusion whereby most literature lump them as ‘Solanum nigrum’ despite this species not being a popular vegetable. This makes it difficult to distinguish toxic and nutritious nightshades and interpret research results. The study was conducted to resolve nomenclature by identifying and characterizing vegetable black nightshades and to analyze their diversity using morphological and molecular data. 48 morphological traits were used to characterize 100 field-grown nightshade accessions from East and West Africa. After cluster analysis, 25 accessions representing 12 morphological groups were selected for genetic diversity analysis using AFLP markers. Six species were identified: one diploid (Solanum americanum), four tetraploids (S. villosum, S. grossidentatum, S. florulentum, S. tarderemotum) and one hexaploid (S. scabrum). The identity of four tetraploid accessions was uncertain. Species clustered by ploidy level with both morphological and AFLP data sets. Morphological characterization separated all species except S. florulentum and S. tarderemotum. S. scabrum exhibited high morphological diversity, comprising six morphological groups; S. villosum had two groups, and other species one group each. AFLP markers separated all the species. S. scabrum was most genetically variable with three groups, while other species had one group each. Individuals from unidentified accessions, suspected to be interspecific hybrids, formed four groups. Molecular markers can be used to compliment morphological characterization to estimate genetic diversity, resolve nomenclatural confusion and establish genetic relationships in vegetable nightshades.
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1 - Maseno University, Department of Botany and Horticulture, P.O. Private Bag, Maseno, 40105, Kenya
2 - AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center, Regional Center for Africa, P.O. Box 10 Duluti, Arusha, 255, Tanzania
3 - Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Toernooiveld 1, Nijmegen, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Keywords:
Vegetable nightshades
diversity
morphology
AFLP markers.
Session: Poster-98
Location: Ballroom CD/Monona Terrace
Date: Tuesday, July 25th, 2006
Time: 8:00 AM
Abstract ID:145 |
