Fatty Acids Profile of Wild and Cultivar Tunisian Peanut Oilseeds (A. hypogaea L.) at Different Developmental Stages.

Eleven fatty acids were identified during maturity in the wild (AraA) and varieties peanut kernels (AraC and AraT). These fatty acids included C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:0 (stearic acid), C18:1 (oleic acid), C18:2 (linoleic acid), C19:0 (nonadecanoic acid), C20:1 (gadoleic acid), C20:0 (arachidic acid), C22:1 (erucic acid), C22:0 (behenic acid), C23:0 (tricosanoic acid) and C24:0 (linoceric acid). Two fatty acids C19:0 and C23:0 were not previously detected from peanut kernels. Furthermore, eight major fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C20:0, C20:1, C22:0 and C24:0) were quantified during maturity. Wild AraA was distinguished by its highest level of oleic (38.72%) and stearic (2.63%) acids contents and the lowest one of linoleic acid (19.40%) compared to the varieties. As for the O/L ratio, wild AraA presents a significantly higher (p < 0.05) (O/L = 2) than that of the AraC and AraT varieties with (O/L = 1.7 and 1.04) respectively. Correlation coefficients (r) between the eight major fatty acids revealed an inverse association between oleic and linoleic acids (r = -0.99, p < 0.001), while linoleic acid was positively correlated to palmitic acid (r = 0.97). These results aim to provide a detailed basis for quality improvement in the cultivated peanut with wild resources.

Molecular and transcriptional characterization of phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding proteins in wild peanuts Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs) are involved in the regulation of plant architecture and flowering time. The functions of PEBP genes have been studied in many plant species. However, little is known about the characteristics and expression profiles of PEBP genes in wild peanut species, Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis, the diploid ancestors of cultivated peanuts. RESULTS: In this study, genome-wide identification methods were used to identify and characterize a total of 32 peanut PEBP genes, 16 from each of the two wild peanut species, A. duranensis and A. ipaensis. These PEBP genes were classified into 3 groups (TERMINAL FLOWER1-like, FLOWERING LOCUS T-like, and MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1-like) based on their phylogenetic relationships. The gene structures, motifs, and chromosomal locations for each of these PEBPs were analyzed. In addition, 4 interchromosomal duplications and 1 tandem duplication were identified in A. duranensis, and 2 interchromosomal paralogs and 1 tandem paralog were identified in A. ipaensis. Ninety-five different cis-acting elements were identified in the PEBP gene promoter regions and most genes had different numbers and types of cis-elements. As a result, the transcription patterns of these PEBP genes varied in different tissues and under long day and short day conditions during different growth phases, indicating the functional diversities of PEBPs in different tissues and their potential functions in plant photoperiod dependent developmental pathways. Moreover, our analysis revealed that AraduF950M/AraduWY2NX in A. duranensis, and Araip344D4/Araip4V81G in A. ipaensis are good candidates for regulating plant architecture, and that Aradu80YRY, AraduYY72S, and AraduEHZ9Y in A. duranensis and AraipVEP8T in A. ipaensis may be key factors regulating flowering time. CONCLUSION: Sixteen PEBP genes were identified and characterized from each of the two diploid wild peanut genomes, A. duranensis and A. ipaensis. Genetic characterization and spatio-temporal expression analysis support their importance in plant growth and development. These findings further our understanding of PEBP gene functions in plant species.

Genome-Wide Discovery of Microsatellite Markers from Diploid Progenitor Species, Arachis duranensis and A. ipaensis, and Their Application in Cultivated Peanut (A. hypogaea).

Despite several efforts in the last decade toward development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in peanut, there is still a need for more markers for conducting different genetic and breeding studies. With the effort of the International Peanut Genome Initiative, the availability of reference genome for both the diploid progenitors of cultivated peanut allowed us to identify 135,529 and 199,957 SSRs from the A (Arachis duranensis) and B genomes (Arachis ipaensis), respectively. Genome sequence analysis showed uneven distribution of the SSR motifs across genomes with variation in parameters such as SSR type, repeat number, and SSR length. Using the flanking sequences of identified SSRs, primers were designed for 51,354 and 60,893 SSRs with densities of 49 and 45 SSRs per Mb in A. duranensis and A. ipaensis, respectively. In silico PCR analysis of these SSR markers showed high transferability between wild and cultivated Arachis species. Two physical maps were developed for the A genome and the B genome using these SSR markers, and two reported disease resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs), qF2TSWV5 for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and qF2LS6 for leaf spot (LS), were mapped in the 8.135 Mb region of chromosome A04 of A. duranensis. From this genomic region, 719 novel SSR markers were developed, which provide the possibility for fine mapping of these QTLs. In addition, this region also harbors 652 genes and 49 of these are defense related genes, including two NB-ARC genes, three LRR receptor-like genes and three WRKY transcription factors. These disease resistance related genes could contribute to resistance to viral (such as TSWV) and fungal (such as LS) diseases in peanut. In summary, this study not only provides a large number of molecular markers for potential use in peanut genetic map development and QTL mapping but also for map-based gene cloning and molecular breeding.

Occurrence of Enneothrips flavens moulton and Stegasta bosquella (Chambers) and its effects on agronomic traits of wild Arachis accessions / Ocorrência de Enneothrips flavens moulton e Stegasta bosquella (Chambers) e seus efeitos em caracteres agronômicos de acessos de espécies silvestres de arachis

Some wild species of the genus Arachis have demonstrated potential for improvement of peanuts. This work was performed to evaluate the occurrence and symptoms of Enneothrips flavens and Stegasta bosquella and its effects on agronomic traits of wild Arachis accessions. Nine accessions of wild Arachis species and a commercial A. hypogaea variety were studied in a split plot statistical scheme with a completely randomized block design and four replications. The main plots consisted of plants sprayed or not sprayed for insect control, while the subplots comprised the peanut accessions. Accessions GKP10017 (A. cardenasii) and V7639 (A. kuhlmannii) showed the lowest percentages of leaflets with E. flavens and S. bosquella. Accessions V9912, V7639 and V8979 (all three A. kuhlmannii) and V13250 (A. kempff-mercadoi) showed the lowest responses to insecticide application among the various plant traits evaluated. These accessions are of interest for further studies to identify mechanisms of resistance, to be used in breeding programs for resistance to these insects.

Algumas espécies silvestres do gênero Arachis têm demonstrado potencial para melhoramento do amendoim cultivado. Objetivou-se avaliar a ocorrência e os sintomas de Enneothrips flavens e Stegasta bosquella e seus efeitos nos caracteres agronômicos de acessos de Arachis spp. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a aplicação ou não de inseticidas as parcelas e os acessos (dez materiais) as subparcelas, com quatro repetições. Os acessos GKP10017 (A. cardenasii) e V7639 (A. kuhlmannii) apresentaram as menores percentagens de folíolos com presença de E. flavens e S. bosquella e os acessos V9912, V7639 e V8979 (todos A. kuhlmannii) e V13250 (A. kempff-meradoi) se destacaram por apresentarem baixa resposta em relação à aplicação de inseticidas nos diferentes parâmetros avaliados. Esses acessos são de interesse para estudar os possíveis mecanismos de resistência às pragas e aproveitá-los em programas de melhoramento visando resistência.