Application of K-seq genotyping protocol in Ranunculus asiaticus L. and Anemone coronaria L.

The Ranunculaceae family, comprising 2500 species across 53 genera, has long intrigued researchers due to its unique position among flowering plants. Two species, Anemone coronaria L. (poppy anemone) and Ranunculus asiaticus L. (Persian buttercup), are renowned for their ornamental value as cut flowers and potted plants, with breeding efforts focused on enhancing various traits from flower uniformity to resistance to environmental stressors. High-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genetic research, but its effectiveness often relies on reference genomes – a challenge when dealing with species like poppy anemone and persian buttercup, which harbour large, heterozygous and repetitive genomes. To overcome this, a reduced-representation sequencing (RRS) approach was applied through the K-seq protocol, which is known to be cost-effective and adaptable. In this work, the K-seq was applied using primer sets derived from a closely-related reference genome (Aquilegia oxysepala var. kansuensis). Despite the absence of reference genomes, we were able to demonstrate that K-seq holds promises in cultivar fingerprinting, aiding in legal disputes and supporting molecular-assisted breeding programs. This breakthrough facilitates the development of new cultivars and unravels genetic factors underpinning complex traits. In summary, the application of K-seq in Ranunculaceae species marks a significant breakthrough. This cost-effective, versatile technique unlocks new possibilities for research and breeding, promising a brighter future for the cultivation of both poppy anemone and persian buttercup.

Matteo Martina won the ISHS Young Minds Award for the best poster presentation at the XXVII International EUCARPIA Symposium Section Ornamentals: From Nature to Culture – Breeding Ornamentals for Sustainability in Italy in July 2023.

Matteo Martina, University of Turin, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Plant Genetics, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy, e-mail: matteo.martina@unito.it

The article is available in Chronica Horticulturae