Genetic Diversity in Traditional and Wild Japanese Iris Varieties

Greg Howard
19th July, 2024

Genetic Diversity in Traditional and Wild Japanese Iris Varieties

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on Iris ensata var. spontanea, a wild ancestor of Japanese iris cultivars, to assess its genetic diversity and conservation potential
  • Edo cultivars showed low inbreeding and formed a distinct genetic cluster, suggesting a single origin and interbreeding among different accessions
  • Wild accessions exhibited greater genetic diversity but higher inbreeding, indicating frequent inbreeding within natural populations and highlighting the need for conservation
The need for increased genetic diversity in crop plants is becoming more urgent as the global population grows and climate change impacts agriculture. Plant breeders are turning to crop wild relatives (CWRs) to introduce beneficial traits into domesticated varieties[2]. A recent study conducted by researchers at Okayama University[1] has focused on Iris ensata var. spontanea, a wild ancestor of the Japanese iris cultivars (I. ensata var. ensata), to assess its genetic diversity and potential for conservation. Iris ensata var. spontanea is native to Japan and East Asia, thriving in mesic meadows and wetlands. However, habitat loss due to changes in land use poses a significant threat to this species. The researchers aimed to understand the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between 32 wild accessions and 14 principal Edo Group cultivars, which were originally developed during Japan's Edo period (1600–1868). The study revealed that the Edo cultivars formed a distinct cluster with low inbreeding coefficients, suggesting a single origin and interbreeding among genetically different accessions. In contrast, wild accessions showed greater overall genetic diversity but higher inbreeding coefficients, indicating frequent inbreeding within natural populations. This highlights the genetic richness of wild accessions, but also points to potential inbreeding challenges that could threaten their survival. The findings of this study underscore the importance of conserving the genetic diversity of wild populations. The genetic variation found in wild relatives like Iris ensata var. spontanea can be crucial for enhancing the resilience and quality of cultivated varieties. This aligns with previous research emphasizing the role of CWRs in expanding the genetic pool of crops[2]. For example, genomics of CWRs has been instrumental in identifying useful alleles and regions of the genome where diversity has been lost due to domestication bottlenecks[2]. The study on Japanese iris cultivars and their wild progenitors also mirrors findings in other crops. For instance, research on domesticated Asian rice (Oryza sativa) and its wild ancestor, O. rufipogon, has shown that selective sweeps and complex demographic models better explain the genetic variation in domesticated varieties[3]. Similarly, studies on soybean (Glycine max) have revealed a moderate genetic bottleneck during domestication, with wild soybeans in Asia offering a wealth of genetic resources for cultivar improvement[4]. The research by Okayama University highlights the need for urgent conservation efforts to protect the genetic diversity of wild Iris ensata var. spontanea populations. By safeguarding these natural genetic resources, we can ensure the continued enhancement and sustainability of cultivated varieties, which is critical for meeting future agricultural challenges.

GeneticsEcologyPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Genetic diversity in the traditional cultivars and wild ancestor of near-threatened Japanese iris (Iris ensata Thunb.)

Published 18th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01625-7

Related Studies

2) Genomics of crop wild relatives: expanding the gene pool for crop improvement.

https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.12454

3) Genome-wide patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in domesticated rice.

Journal: PLoS genetics, Issue: Vol 3, Issue 9, Sep 2007

4) A single origin and moderate bottleneck during domestication of soybean (Glycine max): implications from microsatellites and nucleotide sequences.

https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcq125


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