S01 - Session P2 - A database of genetic variations for horticultural crops of economic interest in Romania based on NGS analysis

Authors: Roxana Ciceoi *, Anca Amalia Udriste, Mihaela Iordachescu, Matilda Ciuca, Madalina Butac, Carmen Popescu, Adriana Badulescu, Floarea Burnichi, Liliana Aurelia Badulescu

Research on genetic variation analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of vegetable and fruit species of economic interest in order to genotype them and obtain a database of genetic variation specific to Romanian native cultivars is funded by the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture. The aim is to identify and characterize DNA genetic polymorphisms, possibly associated with traits of economic interest in 24 indigenous cultivars of apple, plum, tomato and pepper, using modern molecular biology techniques. Nowadays, more and more sequencing data become available for horticultural crops and plant breeders can take advantage of the growing number of molecular tools to reduce breeding times and target specific valuable traits. The present project aims to optimize the molecular methods and techniques to analyse the genomic DNA of selected cultivars that are already adapted to local pedoclimatic conditions and are resistant/tolerant to pests and diseases. Nucleotide sequences obtained by NGS technology will be compiled into a database of genetic variation of the local cultivars. At least 6 local cultivars were studied for each of these crop species, such as: 'Buzău 1600', 'Andrada', 'Kristinica' and 'Buzău 47' for tomato; 'Decebal', 'Vladimir', 'Galben superior', 'Cosmin' and 'Decebal' for pepper; 'Crețesc', 'Generos', 'Valery' and 'Remar' for apple; and 'Tuleu gras', 'Gras romanesc', 'Vanăt romanesc' and 'Centenar' for plum. Data obtained will be used to detect the specific DNA sequences linked to the traits of interest for plant breeders, aiding them in creating new cultivars adapted to the everchanging biotic and abiotic stresses, and ultimately should lead to an increase in crop yields and farmers' income.