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Content archived on 2024-04-30

Collection, evaluation and cryopreservation of germplasm of the genus actinidia and breeding for a novel kiwifruit

Objective

* To extend the living collection of germplasm of the genus Actinidia, to preserve endangered germplasm.
* To revise the taxonomy of the genus Actinidia using molecular data and cladistic approaches.
* To set up a protocol for in-vitro long-term storage of Actinidia germplasm based on modern cryopreservation techniques.
* To evaluate A. chinensis and other minor species of Actinidia and interspecific hybrids for their potential as novel fruit crops in Europe.
* To develop molecular markers for fingerprinting selected genotypes and cultivars.
* To develop molecular markers for early sex identification in seedlings as a tool for increasing the efficiency of breeding programs.
Expected Outcome

The taxonomic revision of the genus Actinidia based on molecular data should result in a more accurate selection of taxa to preserve in the repositories in both China and Europe. Moreover the protocol for cryopreservation should help in rescuing endangered germplasm.
This project should provide the first evaluation of A. chinensis as a potential new crop for European growers. Moreover other Actinidia species of minor importance are also evaluated for a niche market.
A protocol for fingerprinting cultivars should guarantee that a possible world-wide exploitation of new kiwifruit selections is done by safeguarding the property rights of the breeder/discoverer. Moreover the microsatellites selected as markers are robust and world-wide accepted in forensic disputes and they should be proposed as formal UPOV descriptors in Actinidia.
Finally, the identification of a sex marker would facilitate selection in breeding programs by enabling screening seedlings for gender at an early stage prior to flowering with a saving of time and economic resources.
* The project aims to extend the Actinidia germplasm repository in the Wuhan Institute of Botany (China), and to get a more equal representation of taxa from different botanical sections in the European germplasm repositories in Bordeaux (France) and Udine (Italy).
* Molecular data such as RFLPs of PCR amplified ctDNA and mtDNA regions and, if required, sequences of the same regions are used for a phylogenetic reconstruction within the genus Actinidia and for a better evaluation of the material to maintain in the repositories.
* Modern cryopreservation techniques, such as the encapsulation-dehydration method, are set up for Actinidia to prevent loss of germplasm grown in conventional repositories.
* Selections of A. chinensis collected by Scientific Institutions in China are evaluated in Europe (Bordeaux-France, Volos-Greece, and Udine-Italy) for their economic potential. Minor species (A. arguta, A. kolomikta, A. melanandra, and A. polygama) and interspecific hybrids are also evaluated.
* Microsatellite DNA markers are developed for fingerprinting cultivars of A. chinensis, A. deliciosa and other species of interest.
* Molecular markers linked to sex are searched using AFLP and bulk segregant analysis.

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI UDINE
EU contribution
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Address
Via Delle Scienze 208
33100 UDINE
Italy

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Total cost

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Participants (5)

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