Document Type : Full Paper
Authors
1 Department of Horticultural Sciences Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
3 Department of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Keywords
Main Subjects
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Phalaenopsis orchid is very popular in the floricultural industry due to their unique traits like morphological diversity, color variation, and medicinal properties. Over 90 native species have been categorized into five subgenera, driving diverse cultivar development with vibrant colors and fragrances. Breeding programs, primarily utilizing native species like Phalaenopsis spp., aim to enhance traits such as color variation, flower size, and disease resistance.
Understanding genetic diversity is key to advancing breeding strategies. Molecular markers offer advantages in evaluating genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships due to their high variability and co-dominant inheritance. Techniques like RAPD and IRAP serve as cost-effective alternatives, with RAPD's simplicity and lack of radioactive materials being noteworthy. Studies have demonstrated significant genetic diversity among orchid populations, exemplified by research on Indonesian Sarcanthinae orchids. Retrotransposon-based markers, such as IRAP, further extend marker capabilities, utilizing retrotransposon insertion sites for genetic diversity assessment.
In this research, in order to decrease the process of selecting superior genotypes, progenies obtained from crosses between different cultivars. Current research focuses on extending markers for various orchid species and hybrids to assess polymorphism and infer phylogenetic relationships. These findings contribute to understanding orchid genetics and safeguarding breeders' intellectual property rights.
Materials and methods
The study utilized five Phalaenopsis orchid cultivars selected based on specific traits like flower longevity, resistance to fungus, and the production of the second flower stalk. Experimental crosses were conducted bidirectionally, with each flower both providing and receiving pollen grains. Capsules were counted five weeks’ post-pollination and harvested 120 days later, then sterilized and cultured on a growth medium. DNA extraction from plantlets involved grinding frozen leaves and subsequent extraction using a commercial kit.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with random primers was performed for genetic marker analysis, selecting appropriate primers for diversity assessment. RAPD and IRAP products were visualized on agarose gels. Statistical analysis included estimating seed germination percentage and calculating genetic similarity matrices, similarity coefficients, dendrograms, resolving power, polymorphism information content (PIC), and marker index (MI).
Polymorphic bands in genetic profiles were scored, and genetic likeness matrices were computed using Free Tree software. Dendrograms were generated using iTOL software. The resolving power of primers and PIC were estimated using specific formulas. The MI was calculated based on PIC and an effective multiplex rate, derived from the total numbers of polymorphic gene locations and uniform bands.
Results and Discussion
RAPD Analysis: Of the 50 RAPD primers tested, 22 detected polymorphic bands, with fragment lengths ranging from 300 to 1500 bp. across all genotypes, a total of 299 bands were amplified, of which 257 were polymorphic (86%). The average number of polymorphic bands per primer was 13.5. Primers varied in their polymorphism percentage, with PPB ranging from 50% to 100%. The highest marker index (MI) was 6.54, attributed to the OPT-11 primer. The resolving index ranged from 21.12 to 0.508, with OPAI-13 exhibiting the highest polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.444. The BB-20 primer showed the highest Shannon’s information index (I; 0.635) and the number of effective alleles (Ne; 1.812), indicating its effectiveness in investigating genetic diversity. RAPD analysis of Phalaenopsis aphrodite subsp. formosana and related species demonstrated the technique's utility in discovering relationships among Phalaenopsis species.
IRAP Analysis: Using IRAP markers, 83 bands were produced, of which 72 were polymorphic (86.74%). Fragment sizes ranged from 200 to 800 bp. The average number of amplified bands per pair of primers was 14.4, with Sukkula-Sukkula, 3′LTR-3′LTR, and LTR6150-LTR6150 showing the highest polymorphic fragments. PIC values ranged from 0.62 to 0.93, with five pairs of primers exceeding 0.80. MI ranged from 5.60 to 13.10, while the Rp index ranged from 4.3 to 8.40. BARE-1 and Sukkula fragments exhibited higher polymorphism, possibly due to their abundance in the genome. The polymorphism percentage varied from 78.57% to 93.33%, with the 3′LTR-3′LTR primer showing the highest MI and Rp values. Primer 3′LTR-LTR150 displayed the highest PIC, I, and Ne indices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both RAPD and IRAP analyses demonstrated high levels of polymorphism, indicating their efficacy in assessing genetic diversity within Phalaenopsis orchid cultivars. The diverse set of primers utilized in this study revealed varying levels of informativeness, with certain primers exhibiting particularly high polymorphic potential. These findings underscore the value of molecular marker techniques in elucidating genetic relationships and informing breeding strategies within the Phalaenopsis genus
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