Distribution of Tunisian beet wild relatives (<i>Beta</i> sp.) according to morphological characteristics and eco-geographical origin.

ABSTRACT: Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang. and Beta macrocarpa Guss. are crop wild relative taxa belonging to the primary gene pool. They constitute a crucial gene reserve for enhancing cultivated Beta species (B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris L.). Climate change poses a significant threat to genetic reservoir in Tunisia. We evaluated the morphological diversity of ten populations of B. vulgaris subsp. maritima and five populations of B. macrocarpa growing in different Tunisian bioclimatic and ecological areas using a set of 9 quantitative and 14 qualitative traits to promote the preservation and exploration of this germplasm. Variance component analysis of the quantitative data showed an important spectrum of variability, both with

SUBMITTER: Ben Mahmoud K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773021 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature