Morphological, genetic, and nutritional characterization of plant genetic resources at risk of genetic erosion/extinction

Research area: Botany - Mycology - Agriculture

Coordinators: Anna Bertoncini, Riccardo Frati 

ERC sectors: LS2_1 Genetics; LS8_2 Biodiversity; LS8_4 Population biology, population dynamics, population genetics

1. Analysis of genetic diversity within and among populations of traditional varieties of cultivated species at risk of genetic erosion, to guide appropriate conservation.

Genetic analysis of populations of traditional varieties, using molecular markers (SSRs, Simple Sequence Repeats, and SNPs, Simple Nucleotide Polymorphisms), can highlight phenomena of genetic erosion, resolve homonymy issues, and thus guide appropriate conservation.

2. Morphological and nutritional characterization for the valorization of traditional varieties of cultivated species at risk of genetic erosion/extinction.

Morphological and nutritional characterization, based on the analysis of traits and secondary metabolites characteristic of different traditional varieties, is a fundamental procedure for the valorization of plant genetic resources, with the aim of promoting their use, now or in the future, directly or as a source of interesting traits for breeding programs.

1.1 Landoni, M., Bertoncini A., Ghidoli M., Rossi G., Cassani E., Locatelli S., Balconi C.& Pilu R. (2024) PGRFA Management of Outcrossing Plants Propagated by Seed: From On-Farm to Ex Situ Conservation and Some Italian MaizeCase Studies. Agronomy, 14, 1030. 

1.2 Landoni M., Cassani E., Ghidoli M., Colombo F., Sangiorgio S., Papa G., Adani F.& Pilu R. (2022). Brachytic2 mutation is able to counteract the main pleiotropic effects of brown midrib3 mutant in maize. Scientific Reports 12, 2446.

1.3 Landoni M., Puglisi D., Cassani E., Borlini G., Brunoldi G., Comaschi C. & Pilu R. (2020) Phlobaphenes in maize kernel modify pericarp thickness and fumonisins accumulation. Scientific Reports 10,1417.

1.4 Cassani E., Puglisi D., Cantaluppi E., Landoni M., Giupponi L., Giorgi A.& Pilu R. (2017). Genetic studies regarding the control of seed pigmentation of an ancient European pointed maize (Zea mays L.) rich in phlobaphenes: the “Nero Spinoso” from the Camonica valley. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 64, 761-773.

1.5 Lago C., Landoni M., Cassani E., Cantaluppi E., Doria E., Nielsen E., Giorgi A.& Pilu R. (2015). Study and characterization of an ancient European flint white maize rich in  anthocyanins: Millo Corvo from Galicia. PLoS One 2015 May 11;10(5):e0126521. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126521

2.1 Ghidoli M., Colombo F., Sangiorgio S., Landoni M., Giupponi L., Nielsen E.& Pilu R. (2021). Food Containing Bioactive Flavonoids and Other Phenolic or Sulfur Phytochemicals With Antiviral Effect: Can We Design a Promising Diet Against COVID-19? Frontiers in Nutrition 817,  661331.

2.2 Landoni M., Scapin A., Cassani E., Borlini G., Follador A., Giupponi L., Ghidoli M., Hejna M., Rossi L.& Pilu R. Comparison among four maize varieties in conventional and organic cultivation (2020) Maydica 65, M27.

2.3 Cominelli E., Galimberti M., Pongrac P., Landoni M., Losa A., Paolo D., Daminati M. G., Bollini R., Karen C., Vogel-Mikuš K.& Sparvoli F. (2020) Calcium redistribution induces hard to cook phenotype and PHA-L lectin thermal stability in low phytic acid 1 common bean mutant seeds. Food Chemistry 321;126680.

2.4 Puglisi D., Landoni M., Cassani E., Toschi I., Lucchini G., Cesari V., Borlini G., Scapin A.& Pilu R.  (2018) Traditional farmers’ varieties: a valuable source of genetic variability for biofortification programs. Maydica, 63, 1-10.  

2.5. Lago C., Cassani E., Zanzi C., Landoni M., Trovato R.& Pilu R. (2014). Development and study of a maize cultivar rich in anthocyanins: coloured polenta, a new functional food. Plant Breeding 133, 210-217.