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![Flower and fruit of Asian pear [Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai] (a) and...](publication/346274174/figure/fig3/AS:961490777538590@1606248673298/Flower-and-fruit-of-Asian-pear-Pyrus-pyrifolia-Burm-Nakai-a-and-European-pear_Q320.jpg)
Iran is very rich in plant genetic resources, due largely to the diversity in the agro-ecological landscape. Protection, preservation and utilization of genetic resources would facilitate development of premium varieties and biotech products that can potentially lead to a change in the food, agricultural, pharmaceutical and chemical industries in I...
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... Mespilus germanica L. (Medlar), a member of the Amelanchier-Crataegus sister group [8], is a shrub plant of the Rosaceae family [9] rich in phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activities [10,11]. Its fruits and leaves are also used in the treatment of enteritis [12], constipation, diuretics, kidney and bladder stones [13], wounds, mouth abscesses, diabetes, and microbial infections [14]. ...
Cancer, defined by the continuous, uncontrollable proliferation of cells in the human body, is a disease with a rapidly increasing incidence and mortality rate. Scientists are looking for novel ways to cure and prevent this sneaky disease because of the toxicity of contemporary chemotherapy and the cancer cells’ resilience to anticancer drugs. Determining the effect of herbal medicines, which do not have as harmful side effects as synthetic drugs, on cancer cell lines is an essential preliminary study in the production of effective drugs against cancer. In this study, the phenolic acid profile, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity of the medicinal plant Mespilus germanica (MG) leaf extract were determined, and its effects on the expression of some apoptotic, necrotic, and autophagic pathway genes of MCF7 (Human breast cancer line) and A549 (Human lung cancer line) and healthy HDF (Human Dermal Fibroblasts) cells were investigated for the first time. The LCMS device detected many important phenolic compounds previously reported to act against cancer cells in Mespilus germanica leaf extract. DPPH and total phenolic content showed high antioxidant capacity. The cytotoxicity of MG was determined by the MTT method. The levels of mRNA transcription for Atg5, Atg3, Rıpk1, Bcl2, Bax, Apaf1, Caspase-8, Caspase-7, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9, as well as the expression patterns of the DNA damage markers P53 and Parp-1 genes, were assessed. MG leaf extract did not cause significant toxicity against healthy HDF cells. However, it had a cytotoxic effect on A549 and MCF7 cancer cell lines, increasing the transcription levels of essential genes involved in cell death mechanisms. This research is the first to analyze the phenolic components and antioxidant capabilities of leaf extracts from Mespilus germanica. Additionally, it investigates the impact of these extracts on crucial genes involved in cell death pathways of A549 lung cancer, MCF7 breast cancer, and non-cancerous HDF (Human Dermal Fibroblasts) cells.
Graphical Abstract
... Studies to be carried out to identify loquat fruits with superior features and to prevent the disappearance of superior loquat genotypes have great importance in sustainable fruit production. Therefore, considering the genotypes with exceptional characteristics and protection of gene resources by selection breeding studies is a great necessity (Gharaghani et al. 2016). The loquat originates in China (Jing et al. 2023) and has about 30 species in the eastern regions of Asia (Özçagıran et al. 2005). ...
Pomological characterization of loquat genotypes was performed in 2018–2021. The study characterized 70 genotypes with a fruit weight of 20 g and above. The fruit weights acquired were 21.36–48.51 g, fruit width 23.51–45.40 mm, fruit length 23.73–42.25 mm, fruit volume 10.78–41.00 cm³, seed number 1.20–5.20 piece, seed weight 1.25–4.96 g, fruit cluster weight 28.15–452.82 g, fruit number in cluster 2.00–13.83 piece, seed volume 0.93–3.62 cm³, pulp ratio 83.29–96.38%, seed ratio 3.62–16.71%, shape index 0.85–1.26 and pulp/seed ratio 4.99–27.52%. When the loquat genotypes were examined in terms of fruit shape in the longitudinal section, two of the genotypes (3%) were elliptic, 20 of them (28.5%) were broad elliptic, 31 of them (44.3%) were round, 13 of them were flat/oblate (18.5%), and four of them (5.7%) were broad obovate fruits, while in the case of cross-section, 38 (54%) genotypes were found to be slightly angular, four (6%) strongly angular, and 28 (40%) round. In conclusion, while considering the multivariate analysis results of the research, there are significant variations in the pomological attributes among the genotypes in the evaluated population. Such attributes can significantly affect market quality and export potential of loquat fruit. Therefore, those genotypes (respectively, GN 69 and GN 50) could be consider as superior for further evaluations in order to possibly realise new cultivars.
... In order to prevent the disappearance of superior loquat genotypes, the selection of superior genotypes has tremendous importance in the loquat fruit production and martek. Therefore, considering the genotypes with outstanding characteristics and protection of gene resources by selective breeding, further studies are a great necessity (Gharaghani et al. 2016). Thus, the study aimed to characterize the genotypes of loquat (Eriabotrya japonica L.) grown as chance seedlings in the coastal belt of the Black Sea between 2018 and 2021 based on their morphological and chemical characteristics. ...
Morphological and chemical characterization of loquat genotypes were carried out to select superior genotypes between 2018 and 2021 in the coastal region of the Black Sea. In the study, the description of 70 genotypes with 20 g and above fruit weight of loquat, which is grown as chance seedlings in the mentioned region, was done. From the study, it was found soluble solids content (SSC) between 6.95 and 18.30%, acidity (AC) 0.22–0.82%, SSC/acidity ratio (SSCAcR) 16.39–67.68%, pH 2.85–4.94, dry matter ratio 47.29–54.73%, fresh weight (FreWe) 35.13–103.76 g, and dry weight (DW) 20.78–85.59 g. Considering morphological characteristics, leaf width (LWi) was found between 5.41 and 12.71 cm, leaf length (LL) 15.63–41.22 cm, leaf length/width ratio (LLWR) 1.37–5.57%, petiole diameter (PD) 3.74–8.00 mm, petiole length (PL) 8.87–46.72 mm, and leaf area between 77.59 and 312.92 cm². A strongly negative correlation was observed between SSCAcR and AC (0.836). In contrast, significant positive correlation was found between DW and FreWe (0.636), pH and SSCAcR (0.544). In the case of chemical characteristics, the percentage of variances of components 1 to 5 respectively observed (29.13%, 20.37%, 14.96%, 10.84%, and 10.22%), which cumulatively encompassed 85.54% of variances. In the case of morphological characteristics, the correlation between LWi and LLWR (− 0.670), LL and LLWR (0.597), LWi and PD (0.311), LLWR and PD (− 0.312), PD and PL (− 0.260) obtained significant at P < 0.05. The percentage of variance explained by each principle component from components 1 to 4 respectively observed (28.54%, 22.18%, 16.06%, and 10.70%), which cumulatively encompassed 77.50% of variances. Finally, five genotypes, including GN10, GN14, GN50, GN68, and GN69, were determined superior among 70 genotypes. Based on the high “Weighed Rating” scores they received, they were suggested for further consideration.
... And to prevent disappearance of superior loquat genotypes selection of superior genotypes has a great importance in loquat fruit production sector. Therefore, cosidering the genotypes with superior characteristics and protection of gene resources by selection breeding studies is great necessity (Gharaghani et al. 2016). The aim of this study was to characterize the genotypes of loquat (Eriabotrya japonica L.) which are grown as a chance seedlings in the coastle belt of Black Sea between 2018-2021 based on morphological and chemical characteristics. ...
Morphological and chemical characterization of loquat genotypes to select superior genotypes was carried out between 2018-2021 in the coastal region of Black Sea. In the study, characterization of 70 genotypes with 20 g and above fruit weight of loquat which are grown as chance seedlings in the mentioned region were done. We found soluble solide contents between 6.95-18.30%, acidity 0.22-0.82%, SSC/acidity ratio 16.39-67.68%, pH 2.85-4.94, dry matter ratio 47.29-54.73%, fresh weigt 35.13-103.76 g, and dry weight 20.78-85.59 g. Considering morphological characteristics we found leaf width between 5.41-12.71 cm, leaf length 15.63-41.22 cm, leaf length/width ratio 1.37-5.57%, petiole diameter 3.74-8.00 mm, petiole length 8.87-46.72 mm, and leaf area between 77.59-312.92 cm2. Correlation between SSCAcR and AC (0.836) obtained strongly negative. While DW and FREWE (0.636), pH and SSCAcR (0.544) showed significantly stronge positive correlation. In case of chemical characteristics, percentage of variences of components 1 to 5 respectively observed (29.13%, 20.37%, 14.96%, 10.84%, and 10.22%) which cumulatively encompassed 85.54% of variances. In case of morphological characteristics, correlation between LWi and LLWR (-0.670), LL and LLWR (0.597), LWi and PD (0.311), LLWR and PD (-0.312), PD and PL (-0.260) obtained significant at P<0.05. Percentage of variance explained by each principle component from component 1 to 4 respectively observed (28.54%, 22.18%, 16.06%, and 10.70%) which cumulatively encompassed 77.50% of variances. As a conclusion out of 70 evaluated genotypes, the genotypes GN10, GN14, GN50, GN68 and GN69 were determined as superior based on high scores of “Weighed Rating”which they received, and we are suggecting them for further consideration.
... On the other hand, although hawthorn is not very common, it is reported to be used as rootstock for quince (Ghasemi et al. 2013;Gharaghani et al. 2016;Valipour et al., 2018;Tataria et al., 2020). It is of great importance that hawthorn is used as rootstock in loquat as well as other pome fruit species in terms of making cultivation sustainable in arid climate conditions due to global warming, due to its resistance to arid conditions and stunted growth. ...
... Alisalehisardoei@gau.ac.ir be regarded as the first step in genetic and breeding research. Contrary to their similar appearance, some apple cultivars are given different local names and, unfortunately, their genetic relationships with each other are not very clear at this stage of scientific progress (Gharghani et al., 2016). Previously, the identification and evaluation of genetic diversity and classification of cultivars were based on morphological and physiological traits, as well as agronomic characteristics and responses (Schmidt et al., 1985). ...
Article type: Various markers can be used for accurate identifications of plant genotypes and cultivars. Since microsatellite markers of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are abundant and reliably reproducible, 14 pairs were used for evaluating polymorphic levels among 33 apple genotypes. All 14 pairs of primers had high degrees of polymorphism, ranging from three alleles (in the case of primers CH01h01 and CH02d12) to 12 alleles in primer CH05d04. In total, 83 polymorphic alleles appeared in these 14 SSR loci (with an average of 5.92 alleles per gene locus), and the polymorphic information content averaged 0.71. Dendrograms for molecular data were drawn based on the UPGMA method, and genotypes were divided into six main groups. The genotypes of Shahrood 20 and Shahrood 21 (95%) had the highest similarity with each other, while Shahrood 3 and Palestinian Malayer (14%) had the lowest. Principal component analysis confirmed the results of cluster analysis to determine relationships between the genotypes.
... Alisalehisardoei@gau.ac.ir be regarded as the first step in genetic and breeding research. Contrary to their similar appearance, some apple cultivars are given different local names and, unfortunately, their genetic relationships with each other are not very clear at this stage of scientific progress (Gharghani et al., 2016). Previously, the identification and evaluation of genetic diversity and classification of cultivars were based on morphological and physiological traits, as well as agronomic characteristics and responses (Schmidt et al., 1985). ...
Article type: Various markers can be used for accurate identifications of plant genotypes and cultivars. Since microsatellite markers of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are abundant and reliably reproducible, 14 pairs were used for evaluating polymorphic levels among 33 apple genotypes. All 14 pairs of primers had high degrees of polymorphism, ranging from three alleles (in the case of primers CH01h01 and CH02d12) to 12 alleles in primer CH05d04. In total, 83 polymorphic alleles appeared in these 14 SSR loci (with an average of 5.92 alleles per gene locus), and the polymorphic information content averaged 0.71. Dendrograms for molecular data were drawn based on the UPGMA method, and genotypes were divided into six main groups. The genotypes of Shahrood 20 and Shahrood 21 (95%) had the highest similarity with each other, while Shahrood 3 and Palestinian Malayer (14%) had the lowest. Principal component analysis confirmed the results of cluster analysis to determine relationships between the genotypes.
... Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill) is a Fe-deficiency sensitive and minor pome fruit tree, that is widely cultivated in western and central Asia (Abdollahi, 2019), including central Iran, which is characterized by soils with a low Fe availability (Gharaghani et al., 2016, Valipour et al., 2020. Its fruits are commonly used as table fruit and in the preparation of jam, marmalade, and local foods. ...
Quince is known as an iron (Fe)-deficiency sensitive fruit tree, showing chlorosis symptoms when grown in calcareous soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi occurring widely in soils are able to increase plant growth and mineral uptake. An experiment was conducted to examine whether inoculation with AM fungi species would enhance Fe uptake in quince seedlings. The greenhouse experiment was arranged as a factorial experiment with two factors, including three AM fungi inoculation regimes (non-AM, Funneliformis mosseae, and Rhizophagus intraradices) and two Fe levels (50 µM representing Fe-sufficiency and 5 µM as Fe-deficiency). Fe-deficiency reduced biomass, chlorophyll concentration, and the chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) ratio, but increased root colonization. Inoculation of seedlings with AM fungi, especially R. intraradices, led to significant enhancements in shoot and root dry weights, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf Fv/Fm ratio in Fe-deficient quince when compared with the non-AM control. Under Fe-deficiency, AM-inoculated seedlings, compared to the non-AM plants, exhibited a higher root phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activity and a greater root PAL1 gene expression. A similar result was noted for root phenolic compounds. AM colonization significantly promoted root and shoot Fe concentrations compared with the non-AM plants, in parallel with the increase in ferric chelate reductase (FCR, EC 1.16.1.7) enzyme activity and up-regulate FRO2 gene expression, under Fe-deficiency. These results suggest that enhancements in the phenolic compound content and, as well as PAL and FCR activities along with their co-regulation at transcriptional levels, could play key roles in AM-mediated mitigation of Fe stress in quince seedlings.
... The contributions of other wild species have subsequently been borne out by additional studies (Cornille et al. 2012. Gharghani et al. (2009Gharghani et al. ( , 2010Gharghani et al. ( , 2016 have further elaborated on the relationship of the wild Asian species M. orientalis to the initial clade of M. x domestica through SSR marker analysis of accessions of indigenous cultivars, landraces, and selected wild species specifically from Iran. They propose that Iran was an important intermediary in the domestication process and westward transmission of the apple, but likewise maintain this was a multistage process in which the earliest selections derived from M. sieversii without involvement of other species. ...
... An initial northern transmission across the Eurasian steppe belt and first introgression with Siberian M. baccata is unlikely given current phylogenetic reconstructions, but cannot be entirely ruled out as M. baccata has been little studied (Cornille et al., 2014, p. 60). The much more likely pathway, and the one that is generally accepted by geneticists and archaeologists, moves down out of the Central Asian mountains and across the lowland plains and desert expanses of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to the Iranian Plateau, where M. sieversii hybridized first with M. orientalis (Cornille et al., 2014Gharghani et al., 2009Gharghani et al., , 2010Gharghani et al., , 2016Spengler, 2019a, p. 11). The distance covered is roughly 1500 km as the crow flies across arid lowland territory where wild Malus sp. did not grow. ...
... The most probable point of first contact between M. sieversii and another Eurasian Malus sp. after crossing the Central Asian deserts was Hyrcania, the forested region south of the Caspian Sea, today located in the modern provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, and Gilan in Iran (Amirchakhmaghi et al., 2018;Gharghani et al., 2009Gharghani et al., , 2010Gharghani et al., , 2016Khoshbakht & Hammer, 2006). Here, or at some midway meeting point, M. sieversii would have hybridized with M. orientalis. ...
The study of agricultural origins has been revolutionized by genomic science. Whole genome sequencing of plant domesticates opens a door to multiple new approaches by which the timing, nature, and geography of human selective pressures on the evolution of domesticated species might be detected. These new scientific pathways greatly enhance understandings of domestication as an evolutionary process, but they also renew long-standing questions for archaeologists about whether and how to perceive human agency in the ancient past of human–plant interspecies relations. Due to its importance as a global commercial crop, the apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) was the tenth plant genome to be successfully sequenced in 2010. The genomic record of the apple reveals a deep history of human–plant co-evolution by unconscious selection, domestication through hybridization, and a phylogeographic origin in Central Asia. The first two of these insights document a domesticate that has evolved from protracted and unconscious processes, but the third—the identification of the progenitor Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem. in Central Asia, and the necessary corollary that its hybridization arose along the ‘Silk Road’—invites further discussion about the roles of human agency and intentionality in the initial stages of plant domestication. This paper presents a review of apple domestication studies in archaeology and genetics and considers the problematic of Central Asia and the Silk Road in the current paradigm shift of agricultural origins research.
... Such resources, when collected as food from the natural environment, are referred to as edible biological resources (EBRs). The use of EBRs is responsible for a large proportion of the total consumption of biological resources in an area, and it affects the domestication [27,28], distribution [27,29], and variety of species in the local environment, thus affecting local biodiversity and local ecosystems [28,30,31]. Sustainable use of EBRs eases the destructive pressure on ecosystem biodiversity and supports human life by conserving natural resources in agricultural heritage systems. ...
An agricultural heritage system is a special type of protected area that is both culturally and ecologically important. Biological resources are an essential component of an agricultural heritage system. They are necessary to support human livelihood, and their usage is key to ensuring biodiversity. This study used a survey questionnaire and key informant interviews to investigate the use of edible biological resources (EBRs) in the Shuangjiang Mengku ancient tea and culture system (SMATCS). We investigated similarities and differences in EBR use between four minority groups as well as the driving forces behind them. The four groups used 245 EBR species in 113 families, and diversity of EBR use was found in terms of species, edible parts, harvest season, and usage. EBR use within groups was driven by natural, cultural, social, and economic forces. Two social factors (infrastructure and communication), two economic factors (overall economic development and farmer income), and a biological resource (species diversity) drove EBR utilization in all the groups convergently, while three cultural factors drove EBR utilization divergently. To assure the long-term sustainability of EBRs, the preservation of cultural diversity should be combined with the conservation of biodiversity. Targets must be set to adjust the impacts of the driving factors, and more stakeholders must be involved in the conservation of EBRs.
