Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Wild Beets (<i>Beta</i> spp.) from the Western Iberian Peninsula and the Azores and Madeira Islands
Maria Manuela Veloso,
Maria Cristina Simões-Costa,
Joana Bagoin Guimarães,
Carla Marques Ribeiro,
Isabel Evaristo,
Dalila Espírito-Santo,
Cândido Pinto-Ricardo,
Octávio S. Paulo,
Maria Cristina Duarte
Affiliations
Maria Manuela Veloso
Unidade de Investigação de Biotecnologia e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Maria Cristina Simões-Costa
Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF Research Center), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
Joana Bagoin Guimarães
Unidade de Investigação de Biotecnologia e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Carla Marques Ribeiro
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Isabel Evaristo
Unidade de Investigação de Sistemas Agrários Florestais e Sanidade Vegetal, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Dalila Espírito-Santo
Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF Research Center), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
Cândido Pinto-Ricardo
Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-UNL), Av. da República, 2780-501 Oeiras, Portugal
Octávio S. Paulo
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Maria Cristina Duarte
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
In this work, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we present new insights into the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima of western Iberia and the Azores and Madeira islands and of B. macrocarpa from southern Portugal. B. macrocarpa occurs only in southern Portugal and frequently in sympatry with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, showing genetic introgression. B. macrocarpa has a better-defined structure than B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, which has a high degree of admixture. A great differentiation (FST ranging from 0.277 to 0.184) was observed among the northern populations of B. vulgaris subsp. maritima. In contrast, only a small differentiation (FST ranging from 0.000 to 0.026) was detected among the southern B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations. The inland B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations (“RIO” and “VMT”) are distinct from each other, which also occurs with the two islands’ populations (“MAD” and “AZO”). The existence of two distinct Atlantic Sea currents can explain the fact that Madeira is related to the southern populations, while the Azores is related to the northern populations. We consider that understanding the relationships existing within Beta spp. is key to future genetic studies and for the establishment of conservation measures. Our results show that the southern coastal areas of Portugal should be considered as a potential site for in situ conservation of the beet wild relatives. Special attention is needed in what concerns B. macrocarpa because this is a rare species that also occurs in a sympatric relationship with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima.
