Geographical patterns of genetic variation in locoto chile (Capsicum pubescens) in the Americas inferred by genome-wide data analysis.

PALOMBO N.; CARRIZO GARCÍA C.

Plants

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2022 vol. 11

2223-7747

The locoto chile(Capsicum pubescens) is a regionally important food crop grown andmarketed throughout the mid-highlands of South andCentral America,but little is known about its evolution and the diversity itharbours. An initial scan of genetic diversity and structure acrossits cultivation range was conducted, the first one using a genomicapproach. The RAD-sequencing methodology was applied to a sampling ofC. pubescens germplasm consisting of 67 accessions from differentAmerican countries, covering its range of distribution/cultivation onthe continent. The RAD-seq SNP data obtained clustered the accessionsinto three major groups, with a high degree of admixture/reticulationamong them. Moderate but significant differentiation and geographicstructuration were found, depicting a south–north pattern in thedistribution of genetic variation. The highest levels of diversitywere found among central-western Bolivian individuals, while thelowest was found across Central America-Mexican germplasm. This studyprovides new genome-wide supported insights into the diversity anddifferentiation of C. pubescens, as well as a starting point for moreefficient use of its genetic variation and germplasm conservationefforts. The findings also contribute to understanding theevolutionary history of C. pubescens, but further investigation isneeded to disentangle its origin and diversification underdomestication.p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 115% }