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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417939
Research Project: Pecan Breeding and Management of the National Collection of Carya Genetic Resources

Location: Crop Germplasm Research

Title: CertiBase: a genetic database for cultivars certification and genetic breeding of pecan in Brazil

Author
item POLETTO, TALES - Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina (UFSC)
item POLETTO, IGOR - Universidade Federal Do Pampa
item DE CARVALLOH MARQUES, CASSIANO - Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina (UFSC)
item DE SOUSA SILVA, ANA - Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina (UFSC)
item Kubenka, Keith
item Chatwin, Warren
item GAILING, OLIVER - Gottingen University
item STEFENON, VLADIR - Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Submitted to: Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2024
Publication Date: 7/20/2024
Citation: Poletto, T., Poletto, I., De Carvalloh Marques, C.E., De Sousa Silva, A.K., Kubenka, K.A., Chatwin, W.B., Gailing, O., Stefenon, V.M. 2024. CertiBase: a genetic database for cultivars certification and genetic breeding of pecan in Brazil. Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology. 24(3). Article e493924310.

Interpretive Summary: Currently, Brazil lacks an official certification system for pecan cultivars as a requirement for propagation, so cultivars that have overlapping morphological characteristics can be mistaken. This study aimed at developing a molecular genetics database that allows the certification of the pecan cultivars planted in Brazil, based on reference cultivars from the USDA-ARS National Collection of Genetics Resources for Pecans and Hickories. Here we demonstrate the usefulness of 10 nuclear SSR markers and 10 plastid SSR markers for cultivar identification and characterization. The database developed here is aimed as an instrument for the certification of the cultivars planted in Brazil for both seedlings and nuts’ commercialization, as well as the characterization of genotypes without defined cultivar, providing farmers with a robust tool for the national and international market. Varietal certification of commercial cultivars and new genotypes will bring more security to the entire production chain, from the production of seedlings to the identification of dubious cultivars in plantations. This will help avoid fruit mixing during harvesting, in addition to enabling the characterization of the ancestry of potential new cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Brazil doesn't have an official system to certify pecan varieties, so different types that look similar can be confused. This study developed a genetic database to certify pecan varieties in Brazil, using reference types from the USDA's collection. The researchers found that certain genetic markers are useful for identifying and characterizing pecan varieties. This database aims to help certify pecan seedlings and nuts for sale, and to identify pecan types without a clear identity. This certification will help farmers and the entire production process by ensuring the correct identification of pecan varieties, preventing mixing during harvest, and tracing the ancestry of new types.