Genetic markers to detect introgression of cultivar genes into wild carrot populations

Authors: PALMIERI ROCHA, LUCIANO - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Ellison, Shelby; Senalik, Douglas; Simon, Philipp; Brunet, Johanne

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Wild and cultivated carrots easily hybridize and cultivar genes can infiltrate wild populations when pollinators move pollen from cultivated to wild carrots. Cultivar genes may then spread within and among wild carrot populations, a process called introgression. Wild carrots are widespread in the US, can be weedy, and have been declared invasive in some states. However, the extent of cultivar gene introgression into wild US carrot populations has yet to be quantified. To start investigating this process, we sampled leaf tissue from 40 individuals in each of four wild carrot populations free from cultivar genes. We also sampled leaf tissue from the major cultivars used during the last 35 years in Dr. Simon’s breeding site at the West Madison Agricultural Station in Madison, WI. We performed genotyping by sequencing (GBS) on these samples. Genotypic data were analyzed using STRUCTURE and ADMIXTURE with the goal of detecting genes specific to cultivars or at much greater gene frequency in cultivars. This information will be used in future studies to detect cultivar genes in wild carrot populations at different distances from the carrot breeding area in order to quantify the extent of introgression of cultivar genes into wild carrot populations in the area. This information will be useful to scientists, regulators and industry interested in quantifying gene flow and the pattern of introgression between cultivated and wild carrot populations.