Chen Xuesen

Using SSR markers to determine the population genetic structure of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) in the Ily Valley of West China

Genetic structure of three wild populations (Xinyuan, Gongliu and Daxigou) of apricot in the Ily Valley, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, was investigated with microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers. The higher polymorphism and greater transportability of these markers between Prunus species proved SSR markers were much efficient for conducting genetic diversity studies in wild apricot. Neis gene diversity (He) and Shannons index of diversity (I) were 0.287 and 0.458, respectively. This indicated that the wild apricot in the Ily Valley still maintained a relatively high level of diversity. The Gst of 0.137 and Fst of 0.164 revealed that genetic variation mainly resided among individuals within populations (83.6–86.3%). Population differentiation could also be found according to the distribution of SSR alleles between the populations. Mantel test showed the genetic distance between populations was significantly correlated to the geographical distance. The modest amount of gene flow (2.684) would reduce the disjunction between wild apricots. The long-distance dispersal of pollen by insects was probably the main way of gene flow between populations. Based on the study of population genetic structure, an effective conservation strategy of the species was discussed.

Relationship Between Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Related Enzymes Activity in Pyrus pyrifolia Mantianhong and Its Bud Sports Aoguan

Abstract The aim of this article is to study the relationship between biosynthesis of anthocyanin and activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone ismoerase (CHI) enzymes in Pyrus pyrifolia . Changes in the level of anthocyanin and the activities of enzymes of anthocyanin biosynthesis including PAL, CHI were studied in the pericarp of Pyrus pyrifolia Aoguan and Mantianhong during the period of pigment formation. Bagging treatment was also carried out to manipulate the synthesis of anthocyanin and the activities of related enzymes during the period of pigment formation. The results demonstrated that the level of anthocyanin of Aoguan was higher than that of Mantianhong. However, the content of anthocyanins has the similar changing trend in Aoguan and Mantianhong, highest anthocyanin concentrations of two varieties appeared in immature fruit and faded toward harvest. Meanwhile, similar changing trends of activities of PAL and CHI were also observed in both varieties. Aoguan has a lower activity of PAL than Mantianhong, whereas activity of CHI in Aoguan was higher than that in Mantianhong. Activity of PAL decreased during the period of pigment formation and was apparently not limiting to color development, whereas CHI activity increased at the same period and was closely related to the synthesis of anthocyanin. The results of bagging treatment showed that bagging treatment inhibited the activity of CHI, as well as the synthesis of anthocyanin, whereas debagging enhanced both the activity of CHI and synthesis of anthocyanin. The activity of CHI in debagging Aoguan pericarp was higher than the untreated Aoguan. However, effect of bagging treatment toward PAL activity was not obvious. Anthocyanin of bagging treated Aoguan decreased toward harvest. The content of anthocyanin of Pyrus pyrifolia increased at the beginning of fruit coloration period and decreased toward fruit harvest. Activity of PAL was apparently not limiting to color development, whereas CHI activity was closely related to the synthesis of anthocyanin. Debagging enhanced both the activity of CHI and anthocyanin synthesis. Bagging treatment also proved that degradation of anthocyanin was not induced only by light. Light appeared to have two opposing effects in pears: it is required for anthocyanin synthesis and also for apparently increasing red color loss through increased degradation of anthocyanin.