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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #364411
Research Project: Efficient and Effective Preservation and Management of Plant and Microbial Genetic Resource Collections

Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research

Title: Research gaps and challenges in the conservation and use of North American wild lettuce germplasm

Author
item LEBEDA, ALES - Palacky University
item KRISTKOVA, EVA - Palacky University
item KITNER, MILOSLAV - Palacky University
item Khoury, Colin
item Carver Jr, Daniel
item WIDRLECHNER, MARK - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2019
Publication Date: 10/24/2019
Citation: Lebeda, A., Kristkova, E., Kitner, M., Khoury, C.K., Carver Jr, D.P., Widrlechner, M.P. 2019. Research gaps and challenges in the conservation and use of North American wild lettuce germplasm. Crop Science. 59:2337-2356. https://doi.org//10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0350.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0350

Interpretive Summary: Wild lettuces are useful to crop breeding. Six native and three non-native species occur in North America. In this review, we compile the state of knowledge on the taxonomy and ranges of these wild lettuces, map the potential distributions of the species, and assess their conservation. We categorize seven of the species as high priority for further conservation and three as medium priority, with none currently considered low priority or sufficiently conserved. We also review morphological, genetic diversity, and pest and disease information. We conclude by outlining the critical gaps and describing a way forward for addressing challenges in the conservation and use of North American wild lettuces. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Technical Abstract: The North American crop wild relatives (CWR) of lettuce (Lactuca L.) represent an underexplored pool of genetic diversity of potential value to breeding programs. The ten species belong to three different groups: a native clade including at least six allotetraploid species [L. biennis (Moench) Fernald, L. canadensis L., L. floridana (L.) Gaertn., L. graminifolia Michx., L. hirsuta Muhl. ex Nutt., and L. ludoviciana (Nutt.) Riddell], a diploid clade with one species [L. tatarica (L.) C. A. Mey. subsp. pulchella (Pursh) Stebbins], and a clade related to the cultivated taxon (L. sativa L.) with three non-native species (L. saligna L., L. serriola L., and L. virosa L.). In this review, we examine the role of herbarium and genebank holdings in taxonomic and other foundational studies as well as for germplasm exploration and use. We compile the state of knowledge on the ranges of lettuce CWR in North America, modeling the potential distributions of the species and assessing their ex situ and (for native species) in situ conservation status. We categorize seven of the species as high priority for further conservation and three as medium priority, with none currently considered low priority or sufficiently conserved. Further, we review morphological, phenological, genetic diversity, and pest and disease information with regard to North American species. We conclude by outlining the critical gaps and describing a way forward for addressing challenges in the conservation and use of North American wild lettuce germplasm. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.