Characterization of genetic resources of onion (Allium cepa L.) from the Spanish secondary centre of diversity

• Autores: Cristina Mallor Giménez, M. Carravedo, G. Estopañan, Fermín Mallor Giménez
• Localización: Spanish journal of agricultural research, ISSN-e 2171-9292, ISSN 1695-971X, Vol. 9, Nº. 1, 2011, págs. 144-155
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.5424/sjar/20110901-149-10
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
• Resumen
  • español

    La cebolla es el segundo cultivo hortícola a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre los recursos y la diversidad genética de esta especie es limitado. Por ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo consistió en el estudio morfológico y físico-químico de una colección de 86 cultivares de cebolla procedentes de España (que forma parte del centro secundario de diversificación). Los caracteres evaluados en el bulbo incluyeron: peso, forma, firmeza, contenido en sólidos solubles (SSC), pungencia y contenido en azúcares (glucosa, fructosa y sacarosa). Los resultados evidenciaron una gran variabilidad en todos los caracteres evaluados. Las correlaciones fueron significativas entre la pungencia y SSC (r = 0,34), firmeza (r = 0,32) y contenido en sacarosa (r = 0,34); entre contenido en fructosa y glucosa (r = 0,79); entre contenido en sacarosa y SSC (r = 0,57); entre SSC y peso (r = �0,35); entre contenido en fructosa y sacarosa (r = �0,22) y entre el peso y contenido en sacarosa (r = �0,43). El análisis discriminante dio lugar a la formación de cuatro grupos con un ajuste del 95,3%. El grupo 1 está formado por bulbos grandes, firmes y picantes, el grupo 2 por cebollas grandes, suaves y dulces, el grupo 3 por cebollas pequeñas, picantes y con un alto SSC y el grupo 4 por bulbos de forma alargada. La variabilidad encontrada para caracteres de interés agronómico indica que este material podría ser utilizado en futuros programas de mejora genética de esta especie. Además, la agrupación de los cultivares contribuiría a localizar mejor el material vegetal de interés y las correlaciones halladas entre los caracteres evaluados a establecer una adecuada estrategia de selección.

  • English

    Onions are the second most-valuable vegetable in the world. Despite its global culinary and economic significance, the knowledge of genetic diversity and resources is limited. The aim of this study was to morphologically and physico-chemically characterize eighty-six onion landraces from Spain, part of the secondary Mediterranean Centre of diversity. The evaluated traits in the bulb included: weight, shape, firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), pungency and sugars content (glucose, fructose and sucrose). The results evidenced a great variability in all the evaluated traits.

    Correlations were significant between pungency and SSC (r = 0.34), firmness (r = 0.32), and sucrose content (r = 0.34);

    between fructose and glucose contents (r = 0.79); between sucrose content and SSC (r = 0.57); between SSC and weight (r = �0.35); between fructose and sucrose contents (r = �0.22); and between weight and sucrose content (r = �0.43).

    The combination of cluster and discriminant analyses resulted in a classification into four clusters (95.3% fit). Cluster 1 is represented by firm, pungent and large-sized bulbs; cluster 2 consists of large-sized, mild and sweet onions;

    cluster 3 is constituted by pungent, high-SSC and small-sized bulbs and cluster 4 is made up by elongated bulbs. The variability in important agronomical traits found point out that these onion accessions could be candidates for future breeding programs. In addition, the clustering could make the initial plant material selection easier and the correlations among the evaluated traits found could help to establish adequate selection strategies.

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