Development and diversity analysis of an hexaploid pre-breeding asparagus population with introgressions from wild relative species

The development of new asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) cultivars has been hindered by the lack genetic diversity in crop. current study aims at generating novel plant material to widen base crop using CWR (crop wild relatives). We have developed a hexaploid population about 1000 plants with introgressions four polyploid species (A. maritimus, A. pseudoscaber, brachyphyllus and macrorrhizus). is second generation from first backcrossing landrace ‘Morado de Huétor’ as recurrent parent was obtained open pollination. analyzed six EST-SSR (Expressed Sequence Tag-Simple Repeat) markers. A random sampling 60 used estimate variability. results were compared data previously parental collection, diploid cultivars. average PICm (polymorphic information content) value similar (>0.8) higher than observed (0.61). At least 22.2% alleles detected specific this study. Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA) revealed clear differentiation between populations. evaluated for agronomic traits (earliness, stalk number, branching height thickness) two years we selected 80 develop breeding population. Variation significant all (P<0.001). These also markers they conserve variability present starting show an increase offer opportunity improvement.