Development of microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic diversity of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) accessions

Author(s)

Gabriel Dequigiovanni

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-01-21

Examining board members

Elizabeth Ann Veasey; Eliane Gomes Fabri; José Baldin Pinheiro

• Advisor: Elizabeth Ann Veasey

Abstract

The aim of this project was to characterize the genetic diversity of 63 accessions of annatto (Bixa orellana), maintained at the Germplasm Bank of the Agronomic Institute (IAC), using microsatellite markers. For that purpose, microsatellite loci have been developed for this species through an enriched DNA genomic library. From the genomic library developed a total of 84 colonies were obtained and sequenced. Microsatellites were found in 57 colonies, representing 67.9% of enrichment. Seventy microsatellites were identified and, from those, a total of 31 primers were selected. Among these, 25 primers showed amplification products and 15 (60%) were monomorphic for the group of accessions studied. The germplasm accessions characterization with the 10 polymorphic primers showed 38 polymorphic alleles, ranging from 2 to 6 alleles per locus, yielding an average of 3.8 alleles per locus. Values of expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.464 to 0.765, averaging 0.572. Moreover, the observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0 to 0.744, averaging 0.362. From the Wright\'s fixation index, it was possible to infer the apparent outcrossing rate, which in this case was 0.39. The PIC values observed in this study ranged from 0.359 to 0.725, averaging 0.497. The markers BorB4, BorG3, BorC12, BorG4, and BorA2 BorF5_2 were shown to be moderately informative, and the primers BorB10, BorB12, BorF1 BorE7 were considered highly informative markers. The cluster analysis for the genotypes showed structuring into two major groups, one with the accessions from the North and another with the accessions from the Southeast. The values of the modified Rogers distances estimated from the SSR markers ranged from 0 to 0.968, and only two duplicates were identified. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between genetic and geographic distances obtained with the Mantel test was low (r = 0.367), although significant (P <0.01). From the Bayesian analysis performed by the software Structure, the accessions were divided into two groups, which coincided with the groups obtained from the cluster analysis, demonstrating the consistency of the results obtained. It was possible to identify that the accessions in Group 2 (Northern region) present diversity indexes higher than Group 1 (Southeast). The average values of FST (0.183) and GST\' (0.194) indicate the existence of genetic structure in the total sample and confirms the results obtained in the cluster analysis, and also with the data obtained in the structure analysis using the software Structure. The average values of FIT (0.483) and HT\' (0.632) demonstrated the high genetic diversity among the accessions studied. The fact that the FIS and GIS values are higher than the values of FST and GST for almost all loci indicates that diversity is higher within each group than between groups of accessions. Maintaining the annatto germplasm bank enables the preservation of genetic resources and can provide material for breeding activities and improvements in the crop production chain. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/05243-3 - Development of microsatellite loci for genetic diversity characterization of annatto (Bixa orellana) accessions
• Grantee: Gabriel Dequigiovanni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master