Phenotypic Characterization of the Peach
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Eastern Washington University EWU Digital Commons EWU Masters Thesis Collection Student Research and Creative Works 2016 Phenotypic characterization of the Peach (Prunus spp.) collection at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Davis, California Tim Moran Eastern Washington University Follow this and additional works at: http://dc.ewu.edu/theses Recommended Citation Moran, Tim, "Phenotypic characterization of the Peach (Prunus spp.) collection at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Davis, California" (2016). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 394. http://dc.ewu.edu/theses/394 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research and Creative Works at EWU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in EWU Masters Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of EWU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Phenotypic Characterization of the Peach (Prunus spp.) Collection at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Davis, California _______________________________________________________________________ A Thesis Presented to Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Master of Science in Biology _______________________________________________________________________ By Tim Moran Summer 2016 ii Thesis of Tim Moran Approved by ________________________________________________ ______________ Robin O’Quinn, PhD: Chair, Graduate Study Committee Date ________________________________________________ ______________ John Preece, PhD: Member, Graduate Study Committee Date ________________________________________________ ______________ Suzanne Schwab, PhD: Member, Graduate Study Committee Date ________________________________________________ ______________ Heather Robinson, MS: Member, Graduate Study Committee Date iii Abstract Germplasm repositories are an invaluable resource for the collection and preservation of important living genetic material, and provide a multitude of research opportunities for crop improvement. Advances in genomics research have created an urgent demand for phenotypic data in order to assist researchers in identifying relationships between genetic makeup and phenotypic variability. The peach, Prunus persica, is an important economic crop species that is heavily bred and cultivated. In peach, specific tree growth habits are used in breeding to select for tree architectures that may provide growers with more options for orchard design and cultural practices. The presence of extrafloral nectaries on leaf petioles has been found to confer beneficial associations and is linked to specific disease resistant qualities. The canopy volume plays an important role in capturing photosynthetically active radiation and can help growers predict several important economic outcomes, and shoot growth characteristics, like absolute growth rate and branch extension rates affect fruit development as well as overall growth habit, thus playing an important role in determining fruit yield. The goals of this project were to assess five phenotypic traits among 364 peach genotypes in 9 distinct taxa that consist of cultivars, breeder’s selections, and wild relatives, held at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Davis, CA. The recent repropagation of these accessions provided a unique opportunity to establish baseline data on a large set of uniformly aged trees. The growth habit of all accessions was primarily standard (55%), while open, upright, and compact forms were less common (36%, 6%, and 3% respectively). The wild type accessions were slightly more upright (10% higher) than cultivated accessions, while the cultivated accessions were slightly more open (5% higher) than wild-type accessions. Extrafloral nectaries were present in 97% of accessions, likely due to the strong influence of breeding programs that have sought to eliminate eglandular phenotypes. Mean canopy volumes, absolute iv branch growth rates and branch extension rates differed significantly among the 9 taxa and between wild and cultivated genotypes, but were not significantly different within all taxa. The branch absolute growth rates, branch lengths (of pruned branches over 0.5 cm at base), branch extension rates and canopy volumes were consistently higher in two wild-type accessions, P. davidiana and P. mira, than in the persica group. The P. persica accessions had significantly different branch growth and extension rates, and canopy volume, while both P. persica var. persica and P. persica var. nucipersica did not have significantly different branch growth and extension rates, and canopy volumes. The wild-type species, along with the hybrids and P. spp, had greater variation among branch growth characteristics (length and extension rates, and canopy volume). The first two principal components explained 76% of the total observed phenotypic variability using 8 variables. A hierarchical cluster dendrogram with 4 groupings placed most cultivated accessions (P. persica, P. persica var. persica, P. persica var. nucipersica, and P. spp) in one group along with a wild-type P. ferganensis accession. Another grouping included P. davidiana and P. hybrids, while the final two taxa, P. mira and P. kansuensis were each grouped individually. The PCA and cluster analysis both primarily grouped wild accessions separately from cultivated accessions (with the exception of a P. ferganensis accession), and combined P. persica varieties with P. persica. The groupings created by both analyses suggest P. persica var. persica and P. persica var. nucipersica are phenotypically more similar to P. persica, while the wild relatives differ substantially from one another and the persica group. The results suggest there is substantial phenotypic variability within the repository collection and our characterization of that variation will be invaluable to growers and breeders seeking information on specific growth characteristics. The variation predominantly reflects the v historical objectives of breeding and cultivation, and serves as a valuable tool for the development of new cultivars through the use of wild and cultivated genotypes. vi Acknowledgments This project would not have been possible without the help and support of many folks. I would like to first thank my advisor, Robin O’Quinn, for her assistance and guidance throughout my time at EWU. Her willingness to let both of us venture outside of our comfort zone has been instrumental in promoting my learning and development as a student. I also thank Suzanne Schwab for her help; her abilities as a teacher are exceptional. My interest in plant sciences has grown tremendously as a direct result of her classes. This project was a collaborative effort that began with the guidance of John Preece, who gave me the opportunity to work with some great people at the Agricultural Research Service. I am grateful for his support and advice throughout the project. I also would like to thank Carolyn DeBuse at the NCGR-Davis-her horticultural expertise, whether propagating or pruning, provided the foundation for this project. Her advice and help was critical to the success of this project. Finally, to my wife, Ellen, who has been inspirational and supportive in more ways than I can count. The challenges we have encountered in the last couple of years have been significant, and her strength has been incredible. vii Master’s Thesis By presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at Eastern Washington University, I agree that the JFK Library shall make copies freely available for inspection. I further agree that copying of this project in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or financial gain, shall not be allowed without my written permission. __________________________________ ____________ Signature Date viii Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. x List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. xi Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 The Peach ................................................................................................................................ 1 Need for Phenotypic Data ....................................................................................................... 2 The National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Davis, CA ..................................................... 3 The NCGR-Davis Peach Collection ....................................................................................... 4 Project Goals and Hypotheses ................................................................................................ 7 Assessing Phenotypic Traits ........................................................................................................... 8 Forms of the Peach Tree Growth Habits ................................................................................