Caracterização morfológica e molecular de progênies de Desmanthus pernambucanus (L.) Thellung

Abstract

Desmanthus pernambucanus originates from South America, probably in the Northeast of Brazil. Despite the great potential of the species as an alternative for ruminates feeding and protein bank, studies on the behavior in the productive system are still scarce. Several works have addressed the conservation, collections, and germplasm banks regarding potential crops for agribusiness. However, not many projects have focused on forage species; therefore, pre-breeding works are necessary so that these species can be used in the development of new cultivars. The study on the morphological and productive behavior of Desmanthus genotypes when cultivated and managed under cutting is fundamental since it allows the selection of materials with desirable traits. Molecular characterization provides useful information to the breeder, such as duplicates identification and germplasm exchange. Thus, research involving the genetic diversity of this genus by ISSR molecular markers and morphological descriptors is important for the selection of the best plants and the choice of the best traits of the species. The present work aimed to perform the morphological and molecular characterization of Desmanthus pernambucanus (L.) Thellung progenies for the implantation of an Active Germplasm Bank at Embrapa Coastal Tablelands. Therefore, seeds from the CSIRO Germplasm Bank, Australia, were used for multiplication and production of progenies and benefited at the Seed Laboratory of Embrapa Coastal Tablelands. The generated progenies were taken to the Experimental Field Jorge do Prado Sobral, in Nossa Senhora das Dores, SE, between May and July 2017. The morphological characterization was performed with three plants of each accession per block, using some descriptors. The molecular characterization was carried out with eight ISSR markers, using young leaves from three plants per accession/block. The morphological analysis was conducted in the software MINITAB, version 16.2.4.4 and SAS®, version 9.4. The molecular analysis used the software Genalex 6.5, NTSYS-pc 2.0, and Structure Harvester. Results obtained were significant and highlighted progenies 249, 268, 239, 247, and 257. In the molecular analysis, the most genetically distant individuals were 246, 255, 245, 268, and 242. Progenies 249, 268, 239, 247, 257, 246, 255, 245, and 242 are recommended for the implantation of the germplasm bank.