Aydin Turkec

Identification of sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and analysis of their genetic relationships by chloroplast sequence-characterised amplified regions (cpSCAR)

Ten cpSCAR markers that show polymorphism in Prunus avium were used to fingerprint sweet cherry cultivars. The purpose of the study was also to contribute to identification and to help determine their genetic interrelationships. Samples of ‘0900 Ziraat’, a superior Turkish variety, which were collected in several locations all over Turkey, had identical cpSCAR patterns, and they resembled a common European haplotype, A. ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Canada Giant’ and their haplotype are intermediate between the previously described haplotypes A and B, which were originally found in Central and Eastern European sweet and wild cherries, and those from Northern Turkey, respectively. The data therefore suggests a local maternal descent (within Europe and Asia Minor) of the cultivars analysed. Our results show that chloroplast DNA analysis is a straightforward way to classify cherry cultivars. We compare our results to others previously reported for sweet cherry cultivars, and conclude that cpSCAR diversity data could be considered for phylogenetic studies in this group.

Assessment of a direct hybridization microarray strategy for comprehensive monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Detection of GMO material in crop and food samples is the primary step in GMO monitoring and regulation, with the increasing number of GM events in the world market requiring detection solutions with high multiplexing capacity. In this study, we test the suitability of a high-density oligonucleotide microarray platform for direct, quantitative detection of GMOs found in the Turkish feed market. We tested 1830 different 60nt probes designed to cover the GM cassettes from 12 different GM cultivars (3 soya, 9 maize), as well as plant species-specific and contamination controls, and developed a data analysis method aiming to provide maximum throughput and sensitivity. The system was able specifically to identify each cultivar, and in 10/12 cases was sensitive enough to detect GMO DNA at concentrations of ⩽1%. These GMOs could also be quantified using the microarray, as their fluorescence signals increased linearly with GMO concentration.

Evalution of DNA extraction methods in order to monitor genetically modified materials in soy foodstuffs and feeds commercialised in Turkey by multiplex real-time PCR

BACKGROUND Soybean is one of the most important biotech crops, widely used as an ingredient in both foodstuffs and feed. DNA extraction methods have been evaluated to detect the presence of genetically modified (GM) materials in soya-containing food and feed products commercialised in Turkey. RESULTS All extraction methods performed well for the majority of soya foods and feed products analysed. However, the most successful method varied between different products; the Foodproof, Genespin and the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) methods each produced the highest DNA yield and purity for different soya foodstuffs and feeds. Of the samples tested, 20% were positive for the presence of at least two GM elements (35S/NOS) while 11% contained an additional GM element (35S/NOS/FMV). Of the tested products, animal feeds showed a larger prevalence of GM material (50%) than the soya-containing foodstuffs (13%). CONCLUSION The best performing extraction methods proved to be the Foodproof, Genespin and CTAB methods for soya-containing food and feed products. The results obtained herein clearly demonstrate the presence of GM soybean in the Turkish market, and that the Foodproof GMO Screening Kit provides reliable screening of soy-containing food and feed products.

Identification of inbred lines with superior combining ability for hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus) production in Turkey

Abstract This research was conducted to estimate general and specific combining abilities for seed yield and certain yield components. Five female (CMS) lines and five male (restorer) lines were crossed resulting in 25 hybrids for determination of superior F1 sunflower (Helianthus annuus) hybrids using line × tester analysis. Based on the performance and gca, the parents CMS 11/2, CMS 47/1, RHA 68/4, and RHA 72/3 were found to be good general combiners. The crosses CMS11/2 × RHA68/4, CMS11/2 × RHA69/, CMS11/2 × RHA72/3, CMS46/2 × RHA72/3, and CMS47/1 × RHA71/1 gave the highest yields in the experiment, and in addition, CMS11/2 x RHA68/4 showed significant specific combining ability for seed yield. Three other crosses also revealed positive specific combining ability for other characters.

QUANTITATIVE INHERITANCE IN SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) / HERENCIA CUANTITATIVA EN GIRASOL (Helianthus annuus L.) / L’HÉRÉDITÉ QUANTITATIVE DANS LE TOURNESOL (Helianthus annuus L.)

SUMMARY This study was conducted in order to estimate the gene effects which determine the inheritance of certain characters and to search the genetic structure of each group in a 9 x 9 diallel cross group established by crossing inbred lines of sunflower. (1) Significant positive heterotic effects were observed for all the characters studied but for different number of crosses. According to the results obtained, two to three parents were observed to be good general combiners for seed yield and eight hybrids were promising crosses for seed yield and plant height. (2) Both additive and dominance genetic variances were significant for all characters. Also, the overall mean dominance effect of heterozygous loci, h2 was significant for all characters. It was found that positive and negative alleles at these loci were not in equal proportions in the parents (i.e., H1>H2). The average degree of dominance showed overdominance for all characters. RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio ha sido determinar los efectos de los genes que controlan la herencia de ciertas características, tanto como de investigar la estructura genética de cada grupo dentro de la serie de cruzamientos dialélicos (9 x 9) entre las líneas consanguíneas de girasol. Los resultados han mostrado lo siguiente: 1) se ha determinado el significante efecto positivo de heterosis para todas las características investigadas, y el número de cruzamientos varía dependiendo de las características. Para dos a tres líneas parentales, se ha determinado que son buenos combinadores generales para el rendimiento de la semilla, y ocho híbridos se han mostrado con perspectiva para el rendimiento de la semilla y altura de la planta; 2) se ha determinado una significante variante genética agregada y dominante para todas las características, y el efecto total promedio de dominación para los loci de heterocigotos (h2), también ha sido significante. Se ha determinado que los alelos positivos y negativos en dichos loci, no han sido representados equivalentemente en los padres (H1>H2). El grado promedio de dominación para todas las características, ha sido la súper dominancia. RÉSUMÉ Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer les effets des gènes qui déterminent l’hérédité de certaines caractéristiques et d’examiner la structure génétique de chaque groupe dans un croisement diallélique (9 x 9) entre des lignes inbred de tournesol. Les résultats ont été les suivants: 1) un effet significativement positif de l’hétérosis a été confirmé pour toutes les caractéristiques examinées, le nombre de croisements variait selon les caractéristiques. Il a été constaté que de deux à trois parents étaient de bons éléments de combinaison pour le rendement en semences, et que huit hybrides promettaient de bons résultats pour le rendement en semences et la hauteur de la plante; 2) les variances génétiques dominantes et additives étaient toutes les deux significatives pour toutes les caractéristiques. La dominance générale moyenne des locus hétérozygotes h² était aussi significative pour toutes les caractéristiques. On a constaté que les allèles positifs et négatifs à ces locus n’étaient pas représentés également chez les parents (H1>H2). Le niveau moyen de dominance pour toutes les caractéristiques était une surdominance.