Genetic evidence for the origin of Californian wild beets (genus Beta)

The genus Beta L. is a morphologically and genetically variable group composed of wild, weedy, and domesticated forms that are used for sugar production or as vegetables. In this study, we have evaluated genetic variation in 64 germplasm accessions of wild and domesticated beets and examined the ori...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theoretical and applied genetics 1999-11, Vol.99 (7-8), p.1120-1130
Main Authors: BARTSCH, D, ELLSTRAND, N. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beets
Beta macrocarpa
Beta vulgaris
Biological and medical sciences
Botany
Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids
Coasts
Domestication
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gardens & gardening
Genetic aspects
Genetic diversity
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Hybridization
Identification and classification
introgression
Nomenclature
Origin
Physiological aspects
Plant genetics
Pteridophyta, spermatophyta
Seeds
Vegetals
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Summary:The genus Beta L. is a morphologically and genetically variable group composed of wild, weedy, and domesticated forms that are used for sugar production or as vegetables. In this study, we have evaluated genetic variation in 64 germplasm accessions of wild and domesticated beets and examined the origin of wild beet accessions in California using allozyme analysis. UPGMA analysis showed overall that domesticated and wild beets form genetically coherent groups. Wild beets in California have two different origins, from European Beta vulgaris or from Beta macrocarpa. Population-level patterns of allozyme variation for wild California beets related to B. vulgaris suggest that those populations evolved from naturalized populations of the cultivated B. vulgaris ssp. vulgaris which had hybridized to varying degrees with the sea beets B. vulgaris ssp. maritima. Wild California beets related to B. macrocarpa are essentially genetically identical to European accessions. In addition, we found substantial evidence for hybridization and introgression of B. vulgaris alleles in one B. macrocarpa accession in California. The obligate outcrosser B. vulgaris exhibits more allelic diversity than the self-compatible B. macrocarpa. Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima exhibits more genetic diversity than domesticated B. vulgaris ssp. vulgaris.
ISSN:0040-5752
1432-2242
DOI:10.1007/s001220051316