Phenotypic and molecular genetic differentiation of Prosopis flexuosa (Leguminosae) provenances: Implications for Argentinian arid lands restoration

BESSEGA, C.; AGUILO, R.; POMETTI, C.; SAIDMAN, B.O.; ALVAREZ, J.A.; CONY, M.A.; .VILLAGRA, P.E.; VILARDI, J.

Ciudad del Cabo

Congreso; 8TH World Conference on Ecological Restoration; 2019

RES

Prosopis flexuosa (Leguminosae) is an important native multipurpose tree species from arid lands of Argentina that is valuable from an economic and ecologic point of view. Aiming to give restoration recommendations for the use of this species for fast recovery of the plant cover in the Monte desert, we quantified the genetic basis of phenotypic differences in height and basal diameter and the genetic differentiation of 8 neutral molecular markers (microsatellites) among five provenances installed in a progeny-provenance trial. We sampled 125 trees, representing 25 families with 5 individuals per family, belonging to 5 provenances (Fiambalá, Pipanaco, Mogna, Chilecito and Algarrobo del Aguila- Limay Mahuida) from the latitudinal distribution of the species in Argentina. Our results suggest that the morphological variation has a significant genetic basis and differences among provenances may be explained by local adaptation. Low but significant genetic differentiation was detected by microsatellites among provenances. From our results the recommendation to provide a broad genetic basis in a restoration programme is obtaining seeds representing all genetic clusters identified, rather than all provenances. This implies avoiding sampling of more than one provenance embracing the same genetic clusters. If the priority of the programme is reaching ground cover in a short time, the representation of different clusters in the source sample may be adjusted according to a tradeoff between expected gains in growth rate while keeping a broad genetic basis that insures evolutionary resilience.