Molecular characterization of emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) Italian landraces

Emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank, 2n = 4x = 28) is a hulled wheat species [more] widely spread in the Mediterranean basin. In Italy it survives as a crop in a few marginal areas and peculiar ecological niches in different regions of central and southern Italy. A renewed interest has occurred during the last decade toward local varieties belonging to this species. As a matter of fact, local varieties have the highest genetic variation and adaptation to the natural and anthropological environment from where they originated. Results on the genetic diversity within and relationships among 11 Italian local varieties of emmer as assessed with 17 RAPD marker loci are here reported. The proportion of the among-local variety genetic diversity was as high as 48% (GST = 0.479). Thus, about 52% of the total variation was within population. Local varieties of emmer proved to be formed by a variable number of lines genetically distinguishable from each other, and the vast majority of individuals over populations proved to be different multilocus genotypes. Landraces of emmer from central and southern Italy showed distinctive molecular traits. In particular, local varieties classified as «Central Italy» types were characterized by a common set of RAPD marker alleles and proved to be distinguishable from both the «Southern Italy» and the «Garfagnana» accessions. The overall results confirm the high variability that can be found within landrace populations, underlining the values of landraces as an irreplaceable bank of genetically diversified and highly co-adapted genotypes. Information for an appropriate in situ conservation and management of this valuable source of emmer germplasm is discussed.