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This work was supported by the project AGL2015-64899-C2-1-P (MINECO/FEDER) , Spanish Government. M. Pirredda is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science (Margarita Salas Program) . We acknowledge the valuable technical support of Marion Gruebe and the Allium curator group at IPK genebank.

Analysis of institutional authors

Pirredda, MichelaCorresponding AuthorGonzalez-Benito, M ElenaCorresponding Author

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May 6, 2025
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Genetic and epigenetic fidelity of garlic cryopreserved plant material compared to field collections

Publicated to:J Sci Med Sport. 345 114132- - 2025-04-01 345(), DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114132

Authors: Martin, Carmen; Nagel, Manuela; Ibanez, Miguel A; Senula, Angelika; Pirredda, Michela; Gonzalez-Benito, M Elena

Affiliations

Leibniz Inst Plant Genet & Crop Plant Res IPK, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstr 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Agron Alimentaria & Biosis, Dept Biotecnol Biol Vegetal, Avda Puerta Hierro 2-4, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Agron Alimentaria & Biosis, Dept Econ Agr Estadist & Gest Empresas, Avda Puerta Hierro 2-4, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important bulb vegetable of culinary and medicinal use. It is propagated vegetatively, and its plant genetic resources must be, therefore, conserved either in field collections, under in vitro culture conditions, or cryopreserved. The different conservation methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but all of them must secure the genetic fidelity of the samples. Within the genetic stability concept, the epigenetic stability of stored germplasm is of increasing concern as epigenetic changes may affect gene expression resulting in phenotypical changes. In this study, we compare plant material from field collections and from in vitro plants recovered after cryopreservation of two garlic accessions using genetic and epigenetic markers. Markers used for the genetic stability analysis were: Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), an arbitrary molecular marker, and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR), a specific marker. RAPD markers were obtained from 11 different primers, and the SSR markers from 10 microsatellite loci. For the epigenetic analysis, Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) markers were used. Although the initial genetic composition of both accessions was very different, they showed a substantial genetic stability. RAPD markers only detected differences in one sample from the field collection from one accession, while samples from the second one were monomorphic. However, SSR markers revealed differences between field and cryopreserved samples for both accessions. The MSAP analysis showed a higher DNA methylation level in the cryopreserved samples than those from the field collection. The implications for germplasm conservation are discussed.

Keywords

ApicesCellCryopreservationDna methylationEncapsulation-dehydrationEpigenetic stabilityEx situ conservationGarlicGenetic fidelityGenetic resourceGenomeIn-vitroMarkersPreservationShoot-tipsStability

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal J Sci Med Sport due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 5/45, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Horticulture. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-08-21:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 1 (PlumX).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Germany.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Martin, Carmen) and Last Author (GONZALEZ BENITO, M. ELENA).

the authors responsible for correspondence tasks have been PIRREDDA, MICHELA and GONZALEZ BENITO, M. ELENA.