Saadet Büyükalaca

Multilocus phylogenetic analysis of true morels (Morchella) reveals high levels of endemics in Turkey relative to other regions of Europe

The present study was conducted to better understand how the phylogenetic diversity of true morels (Morchella) in Turkey compares with species found in other regions of the world. The current research builds on our recently published surveys of 10 Turkish provinces and the northern hemisphere in which DNA sequence data from 247 and 562 collections respectively were analyzed phylogenetically. Herein we report on phylogenetic analyses of 243 additional collections made in spring 2009 and 2010 from eight additional provinces in the Aegean, Black Sea, central Anatolia, eastern Anatolia and Marmara regions of Turkey. Our analysis revealed that five species within the Esculenta clade (yellow morels) and 15 species within the Elata clade (black morels) were present in Turkey. Our preliminary results also indicate that M. anatolica, recently described from a collection in Muǧla province in the Aegean region of Turkey, is a closely related sister of M. rufobrunnea; these two species comprise a separate evolutionary lineage from the Esculenta and Elata clades. Nine species of Morchella currently are known only from Turkey, four species were present in Turkey and other European countries and seven species might have been introduced to Turkey anthropogenically. Three of the putatively exotic species in Turkey appear to be endemic to western North America; they are nested within a clade of fire-adapted morels that dates to the late Oligocene, 25 000 000 y ago. Our results indicate that there are roughly twice as many Morchella species in Turkey compared with the other regions of Europe sampled. Knowledge of Morchella species diversity and their biogeographic distribution are crucial for formulating informed conservation policies directed at preventing species loss and ensuring that annual morel harvests are sustainable and ecologically sound.

How well do ITS rDNA sequences differentiate species of true morels (Morchella)

Arguably more mycophiles hunt true morels (Morchella) during their brief fruiting season each spring in the northern hemisphere than any other wild edible fungus. Concerns about overharvesting by individual collectors and commercial enterprises make it essential that science-based management practices and conservation policies are developed to ensure the sustainability of commercial harvests and to protect and preserve morel species diversity. Therefore, the primary objectives of the present study were to: (i) investigate the utility of the ITS rDNA locus for identifying Morchella species, using phylogenetic species previously inferred from multilocus DNA sequence data as a reference; and (ii) clarify insufficiently identified sequences and determine whether the named sequences in GenBank were identified correctly. To this end, we generated 553 Morchella ITS rDNA sequences and downloaded 312 additional ones generated by other researchers from GenBank using emerencia and analyzed them phylogenetically. Three major findings emerged: (i) ITS rDNA sequences were useful in identifying 48/62 (77.4%) of the known phylospecies; however, they failed to identify 12 of the 22 species within the species-rich Elata Subclade and two closely related species in the Esculenta Clade; (ii) at least 66% of the named Morchella sequences in GenBank are misidentified; and (iii) ITS rDNA sequences of up to six putatively novel Morchella species were represented in GenBank. Recognizing the need for a dedicated Web-accessible reference database to facilitate the rapid identification of known and novel species, we constructed Morchella MLST (http://www.cbs.knaw.nl/morchella/), which can be queried with ITS rDNA sequences and those of the four other genes used in our prior multilocus molecular systematic studies of this charismatic genus.

Use of Tissue Culture Techniques for Producing Virus-Free Plant in Garlic and Their Identification through Real-Time PCR

This study was performed for comparison of meristem culture technique with shoot tip culture technique for obtaining virus-free plant, comparison of micropropagation success of two different nutrient media, and determination of effectiveness of real-time PCR assay for the detection of viruses. Two different garlic species (Allium sativum and Allium tuncelianum) and two different nutrient media were used in this experiment. Results showed that Medium 2 was more successful compared to Medium 1 for both A. tuncelianum and A. sativum (Kastamonu garlic clone). In vitro plants obtained via meristem and shoot tip cultures were tested for determination of onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) through real-time PCR assay. In garlic plants propagated via meristem culture, we could not detect any virus. OYDV and LYSV viruses were detected in plants obtained via shoot tip culture. OYDV virus was observed in amount of 80% and 73% of tested plants for A. tuncelianum and A. sativum, respectively. LYSV virus was found in amount of 67% of tested plants of A. tuncelianum and in amount of 87% of tested plants of A. sativum in this study.

Effects of different genotypes and gamma ray doses on haploidization with irradiated pollen technique in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.)

Taskin, H., Yücel, N. K., Baktemur, G., Çömlekçioglu, S. and Büyükalaca, S. 2013. Effects of different genotypes and gamma ray doses on haploidization with irradiated pollen technique in watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1165-1168. Two watermelon genotypes, one commercial watermelon variety (Ustun F1) and five different doses of gamma rays coming from Co60 were tested to develop useful haploidization procedures in watermelon. For this purpose, male flowers collected a day before anthesis were irradiated with 50, 150, 200, 275 and 300 Gy doses of gamma rays, and female flowers were pollinated with irradiated pollen the next day. Seeds extracted from fruits harvested 25 d later were opened individually in a laminar flow hood. Embryos obtained via embryo rescue technique were placed in glass tubes containing CP medium with 30 g L-1 sucrose, 8 g L-1 agar, 0.08 mg L-1 B12, and 0.02 mg L-1 IAA. Sixty haploid embryos were obtained from 43 watermelon fruits in this study. Genotype 1 was found to be the most successful genotype with 3.57 haploid embryos per 100 seeds. Among tested irradiation doses, 275 Gy was better than other doses, with 5.26 haploid embryos per 100 seeds. Considered together with irradiation dose and genotypes, the maximum number of haploid embryos was obtained from Genotype 1 pollinated with 275 Gy irradiation dose, with 6.25 haploid embryos per 100 seeds.

Comparison of different methods for separation of haploid embryo induced through irradiated pollen and their economic analysis in Melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus).

Irradiated pollen technique is the most successful haploidization technique within Cucurbitaceae. After harvesting of fruits pollinated with irradiated pollen, classical method called as “inspecting the seeds one by one” is used to find haploid embryos in the seeds. In this study, different methods were used to extract the embryos more easily, quickly, economically, and effectively. “Inspecting the seeds one by one” was used as control treatment. Other four methods tested were “sowing seeds direct nutrient media,” “inspecting seeds in the light source,” “floating seeds on liquid media,” and “floating seeds on liquid media after surface sterilization.” Y2 and Y3 melon genotypes selected from the third backcross population of Yuva were used as plant material. Results of this study show that there is no statistically significant difference among methods “inspecting the seeds one by one,” “sowing seeds direct CP nutrient media,” and “inspecting seeds in the light source,” although the average number of embryos per fruit is slightly different. No embryo production was obtained from liquid culture because of infection. When considered together with labor costs and time required for embryo rescue, the best methods were “sowing seeds directly in the CP nutrient media“ and ”inspecting seeds in the light source.”

Volatile Constituents of The Edible Tricholoma terreum in Marmara Region of Turkey

Abstract Tricholoma terreum is a fungal species which is also commonly consumed and widespread in Turkey. Seventeen aroma compounds were identified with Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Major aroma compounds in T. terreum were as follows; 1-octen-3-ol (37.08 %), (E)-2-octen-1-ol (19.68 %), hexanal (16.00 %), 3-octanone (3.36 %), acetic acid (2.63 %) and (E)-2-octenal (2.27 %). This study is the first report on the volatile aroma compounds of T. terreum in Turkey.

Minimally Processed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are important in human nutrition with high protein, minerals, vitamins, low fat content, and low energy levels. They provide an alternative source of protein to people who cannot consume animal foods for different reasons. They are also considered to be a good dietary product with low fat content and energy levels. Mushrooms are consumed for medical purposes as well as for their use as food. There are many mushroom species used in the world for all these purposes. Some of these mushroom species can be cultured, some cannot, and non-cultivable species can only be used by collecting from nature. This chapter provides information on the nutritional value, medical significance, consumption, and extending shelf life of some mushroom species: Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm, Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst, Morels (Morchella), some edible species of Tricholoma, Boletus edulis Bull: Fr, and Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler.