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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280701
Title: Biogeograhical determinants of population structure in Beta nana

Author
item Richards, Christopher
item FENWICK, ANN - Beet Sugar Development Foundation
item Hellier, Barbara
item FRESE, LOTHAR - Federal Center For Breeding
item Panella, Leonard

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Beta nana is a rare alpine species endemic to Greece. It is a crop wild relative of cultivated beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) and is an important genetic resource for breeding cold tolerance and other traits. A plant exploration, conducted in 2005, found 26 occurrences of this wild beet on six mountain locations that span 3 phytogeographical zones in Greece; from Mount Olympos in the north to Mount Taygetos in the south. In addition to seed collections, leaf materials from ~30 individual plants were collected at each mountain location. These samples were used to estimate the patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation using codominant SSR loci. Specifically these genotypic data were used to estimate the hierarchical genetic structure across these discrete alpine habitats in Greece and to estimate ongoing and historic demographic and gene flow patterns linking these sites. Importantly these patterns of genetic differentiation were compared to environmental niche models for the species. Integration of spatial and genetic data was used to assess the impact of various climate models on this specialized species’ range and assist in identifying regions of critical conservation priority.

Technical Abstract: In 1935, 1936, and 1937, between 37 to 140 sugarbeet researchers met informally as the “Sugar Beet Round Table” to discuss the needs of the industry. At the 1937 meeting, which included California participants for the first time, the formation of a more structured national organization was proposed. As a result, the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologist (ASSBT) was officially created on 13 January 1938. Jim Fischer became the first salaried Secretary-Treasurer in 1947, and was a major force behind the 1956 launch of the Journal of the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologist (JASSBT); renamed the Journal of Sugar Beet Research (JSBR) in 1988. Prior to 1956 all research reports were published as proceedings of the biennial meetings. The original objective of ASSBT was “to foster all phases of sugar beet and beet sugar research, and to act as a clearing house for the exchange of ideas resulting from such work”. The wording of the current mission statement has changed slightly but remains primarily focused upon the original objectives. It is in this spirit of the founders that the publications of the ASSBT are now freely accessible to the general public on a recently established web-site (assbt-jsbr.org). This site has all issues of JASSBT, JSBR, and the proceedings of recent biennial meetings. The site is searchable and continues the mission of fostering all phases of sugar beet and beet sugar research, and acting as a clearing house for the exchange of ideas resulting from such work worldwide.