Abstract
Background:
The genus Vaccinium is economically significant for its highly nutritious berries. Türkiye hosts wild genetic resources of Vaccinium, primarily distributed along the Black Sea region. These species are valuable for crop improvement, local food security, and require urgent conservation efforts.
Objectives:
This study analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow among wild Vaccinium species in Türkiye using iPBS retrotransposon markers.
Methods:
A total of 22 individuals from three wild Vaccinium species (V. arctostaphylos, V. myrtillus, V. uliginosum) and two domesticated cultivars were analyzed using 10 iPBS markers. Genetic diversity was assessed based on polymorphic bands, Shannon's index, and gene flow. Cluster analysis (UPGMA), principal component analysis (PCoA), and STRUCTURE analysis were performed to evaluate population structure.
Results:
Out of 312 bands, 177 (56%) were polymorphic, with the highest bands (32) produced by iPBS2391. Low genetic diversity (Shannon's index = 0.14–0.2) and moderate gene flow (0.3) were observed. AMOVA revealed 49% of variance within individuals and 51% among species. Distinct clusters were identified, though some individuals showed high admixture and heterozygosity, forming separate clusters.
Conclusion:
These findings provide insights into the genetic diversity and population structure of Turkish wild Vaccinium species, offering valuable information for conservation strategies and berry cultivation efforts worldwide.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
