Temporal variation of diversity in Italian durum wheat germplasm

The aim of this work is to analyse the temporal change of genetic diversity in Italian durum wheat germplasm. The germplasm deployed in this study (158 accessions), belonging to 5 different historical classes, was characterised for its microsatellite and gliadin markers. The level of genetic diversity (He), based on gliadin and SSR markers results – on average – greater in indigenous landraces present in Italy before 1915, with the exception of pure line material which had been selected from landraces (showing highest level of heterozigosity for gliadin markers). Genotypes obtained from crosses or mutagenesis (referring to the 1950–1960 period) along with those resulting from crosses between CIMMYT lines and old materials (1970s and beyond) were also genetically more diverse. Forty-nine percent of indigenous landraces were genetically heterogeneous. Nine out of 53 landrace accessions were able to capture 4 different SSR private alleles. It is speculated that the reduction of allele richness is an indicator of the genetic erosion of the pre-breeding germplasm and it is pointed out that the implementation of appropriate methods of genetic conservation of this germplasm is a priority for breeding and food safety.