Molecular Authentication, Phytochemical Evaluation and Asexual Propagation of Wild-Growing <i>Rosa canina</i> L. (Rosaceae) Genotypes of Northern Greece for Sustainable Exploitation
Eleni Maloupa,
Eleftherios Karapatzak,
Ioannis Ganopoulos,
Antonis Karydas,
Katerina Papanastasi,
Dimitris Kyrkas,
Paraskevi Yfanti,
Nikos Nikisianis,
Anthimos Zahariadis,
Ioanna S. Kosma,
Anastasia V. Badeka,
Giorgos Patakioutas,
Dimitrios Fotakis,
Nikos Krigas
Affiliations
Eleni Maloupa
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Eleftherios Karapatzak
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioannis Ganopoulos
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Antonis Karydas
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Katerina Papanastasi
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Dimitris Kyrkas
Department of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
Paraskevi Yfanti
Department of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
Nikos Nikisianis
Systada General Partnership, 55133 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece
Anthimos Zahariadis
Verus plus General Partnership, 55133 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioanna S. Kosma
Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Anastasia V. Badeka
Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Giorgos Patakioutas
Department of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
Dimitrios Fotakis
Forest Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, 57006 Vassilika, Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikos Krigas
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, P.O. Box 60458, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
Dogroses belong to a taxonomically difficult genus and family and represent important phytogenetic resources associated with high ornamental, pharmaceutical-cosmetic and nutritional values, thus suggesting a potentially high exploitation merit. Triggered by these prospects, wild-growing Rosa canina populations of Greece were selected for investigation and evaluation of their potential for integrated domestication. We collected ripe rosehips from Greek native wild-growing populations (samples from seven genotypes) for phytochemical analysis (total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and vitamin C content), leaf samples for DNA analysis using the ITS2 sequence (nine genotypes) and fresh soft-wood stem cuttings for propagation trials (seven genotypes). After evaluation of these materials, this study reports for the first-time distinct DNA-fingerprinted genotypes from Greece with interesting phytochemical profiles mainly in terms of Vitamic C content (up to 500.22 ± 0.15 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g of sample) as well as effective asexual propagation protocols for prioritized R. canina genotypes via cuttings. The latter highlights the importance of the levels of external hormone application (2000 ppm of indole-3-butyric acid), the effect of season (highly-effective spring trials) and genotype-specific differences in rooting capacities of the studied genotypes. All inclusive, this study offers new artificially selected material of Greek native R. canina with a consolidated identity and interesting phytochemical profile. These materials are currently under ex-situ conservation for further evaluation and characterization in pilot field studies, thus facilitating its sustainable exploitation for applications in the agro-alimentary, medicinal-cosmetic, and ornamental sectors.
