Vincenzo Vecchio

Genetic diversity assessment in Somali sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) accessions using microsatellite markers

In the north-western region of Somalia, bordering Ethiopia, sorghum represents an important resources for human and animal nutrition. The critical situation of Somalia is threatening the preservation of this valuable resource and it becomes urgent to develop a strategy of correct evaluation of the sorghum germplasm in order to promote conservation and preservation programs. Microsatellites, also known as Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), are reproducible molecular markers useful in assessing the level of genetic diversity of plants. A total of 5 sorghum SSR-specific primer pairs were used to assess the genetic diversity of Somali sorghum landraces. Extensive variation was found at the microsatellite loci analysed, except for a locus that resulted in a monomorphic for some accessions. Considerable differences were found between total and effective number of alleles indicating non uniform allele frequency. Moreover allele frequency at a single locus significantly changed among accessions. Total gene diversity calculated for each locus ranged from 0.44 to 0.79. Most of the genetic diversity occurred within accessions demonstrating that accessions are not under selection processes and/or there is a continuous exchange of genes between sorghum populations. In any case, the patterns of clustering were significantly affected by the presence/absence of some alleles with high discriminant weight. Accessions Carabi, Abaadiro, Masego Cas and Masego Cad represent distinct genotypes confirming finding observed in previous phenotypic studies. The results highlight the central role of local farmers in maintaining and shaping local germplasm.

Effects of Short-Term Consumption of Bread Obtained by an Old Italian Grain Variety on Lipid, Inflammatory, and Hemorheological Variables: An Intervention Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of short-term dietary intake of bread obtained by a selected variety of old grain grown in Tuscany, Italy on some parameters related to the atherosclerotic process. Twenty healthy subjects (median age, 39.5 years) followed for 10 weeks a diet containing bread (150 g/day) made from the test grain (test period) and for the same period a diet containing commercially available bread of the same quantity (control period). Lipid, inflammatory, and hemorheological profiles before and after dietary intervention were evaluated. The test period showed a significant (P < .05) improvement of total cholesterol (pre-intervention, 211.2 +/- 10.8 mg/dL; post-intervention, 196.5 +/- 9.8 mg/dL) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (pre-intervention, 137.5 +/- 8.1 mg/dL; post-intervention, 119.5 +/- 7.5 mg/dL), whereas no significant changes during the control period were observed. With regard to inflammatory and hemorheological parameters, the test period showed a significant decrease in some of the parameters investigated (interleukin-8 [pre-intervention vs. post-intervention, 67.4 +/- 10.7 vs. 43.9 +/- 4.1 pg/mL], whole blood viscosity at high [4.36 +/- 0.03 vs. 4.32 +/- 0.03 mPa x s, respectively] and low [26.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 24.8 +/- 0.5 mPa x s, respectively] shear rates, and erythrocyte filtration [8.4 +/- 0.7% vs. 9.1 +/- 0.6%, respectively]) relative to the control period, which showed no significant changes. Short-term dietary intake of whole grain bread obtained from an old grain variety seems to impose a favorable status with regard to lower circulating levels of markers of atherosclerosis.

Agricultural biodiversity in Northwest Somalia - an assessment among selected Somali sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) germplasm

The seed sector situation in Northwest Somalia is critical. The availability of food has decreased and many people are at risk of hunger. Food security can be restored by enhancing the local genetic resources and creating an efficient seed sector. Sorghum is important as a food and fodder crop in this region. It is close to Ethiopia, which is considered as the probable origin and domestication of Sorghum. Twelve morphological and productive characteristics were chosen to assess the phenotypic variability of 16 accessions of sorghum from Northwest Somalia. Univariate (analysis of variance and G test) and multivariate (discriminant and cluster analysis) methods were used to assess the morphological variation within the accession and to group the 16 accessions into clusters based upon quantitative and qualitative characters. Elmi Jama Cas, Masego Cas, Masego Cad and Carabi clearly represent distinct landraces with specific features suitable for different purpose, such as grain and/or forage production. Each landrace tested is able to grow under harsh environmental conditions, thus ensuring a low, but stable production for small poor resources farmers. Knowledge and conservation of local landraces will provide a broad base of genetic variability from which improved sorghum varieties can be developed, thus aiding in the stabilisation of a secure and sustainable food supply for farmers of Northwest Somalia.

The influence of tuber mineral element composition as a function of geographical location on acrylamide formation in different Italian potato genotypes

BACKGROUND The present study was aimed at examining the effect of tuber mineral composition, distinctive for geographical location, on the expression of acrylamide precursors in three potato genotypes (Arinda, Rossa di Cetica and Sieglinde) in three Italian potato cultivation regions (Puglia, Sicily and Tuscany). RESULTS Sucrose and amino acids were not correlated with acrylamide formation. In contrast, reducing sugars, limiting with respect to the principal amino acid precursor asparagine, were positively correlated with acrylamide. From analysis of variance, both acrylamide and reducing sugars were not significant for variety but highly significant for location, with higher levels occurring in all three varieties cultivated in Tuscany, followed by Sicily and Puglia respectively. Reducing sugars were negatively correlated with K and Ca and positively correlated with Zn and Cu. Neither N nor P was correlated with reducing sugar content. Path analysis, a statistical technique distinguishing causation and correlation between variables, was implemented to provide additional insight on the interactions between mineral elements and reducing sugars under open field conditions. The variation in reducing sugars in all three varieties was shown to be attributable to Zn. CONCLUSION Cultivation location has a significant impact on the composition of tuber mineral elements and, as a result, on genotype in the expression of reducing sugars. The negative correlation between Zn and K and the variation in reducing sugar content attributed to the element Zn, which is particularly available in acid soils, are important factors warranting future research aimed at reducing acrylamide formation from an agronomic perspective.

Inductive and noninductive conditions on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy in potato (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum and subspeciesandigena)

SummaryThe effect of growth conditions (medium and photoperiod) on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy of the cv. Désirée (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum) and Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum subspeciesandigena) was evaluated. The short photoperiod and presence of CCC in the medium reduced the dry matter of plants as well as the size of microtubers. The two cultivars showed a difference, in favour of Désirée, in the percentage of plants having more than one tuber and in the average time of sprouting after storage. The average time of sprouting was more rapidly obtained under long days and in a medium without CCC. The CCC and short days caused the same dormancy conditions and the same K+ quantity in the microtubers. The microtubers mineral composition is involved in the dormancy status.