Genetic Variability Assessment of a Diploid Pre-Breeding Asparagus Population Developed Using the Tetraploid Landrace ‘Morado de Huétor’

Different studies have reported a narrow genetic base for garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) due to its common origin, diploid population (‘Purple Dutch’). The present study focused on the development of new plant material that may be useful widen crop by using tetraploid landrace ‘Morado de Huétor’ (A. × A. maritimus). With this purpose, pre-breeding (n = 1000) carrying introgressions has been obtained. This derived from crosses under open pollination parental collection 77) was developed in previous study. first backcrossing different cultivated plants as recurrent parent and donor. diversity assessed set EST-SSR markers (AG7, AG8, TC1, TC3, TC7, TC9) 57), which randomly sampled population. results were compared data obtained collection, current cultivars Huétor’. average PICm (Polymorphic Information Content) values (0.75) resulted higher than value (0.63) but lower (0.83). Twenty-two alleles (52.4%) detected specific Principal Coordinate Analyses (PCoA) revealed had distribution cultivars. also evaluated morpho-agronomic traits (earliness, stalk number, branching height thickness) two years. Significant differences among (p < 0.001) found these five and, therefore, genotype variation is suggested. As result, 71 selected develop breeding variability those analyzed similar show could used enlarge