Exploring the morphological and genetic diversity of Egyptian basil landraces (Ocimum sp.) for future breeding strategies

Abstract

Background: Basil (Ocimum sp.) exhibits significant morphological and genetic diversity. This variation provides an opportunity to identify novel traits that can be used in breeding programs to improve the productivity, quality, and disease resistance of basil plants. The integration of morphological and genetic data for basil varieties can improve our understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and breeding programs. Results: In 2019, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on 25 basil landraces collected from 12 Egyptian governorates to explore their morphological and genetic diversity. Morphological characterization revealed variability in plant vigor, flower color, cyme shape, and leaf shape, indicating distinct growth patterns and potential for specific applications. Productivity and biochemical evaluation demonstrated significant variation in yield and oil distillation, identifying top-performing landraces L5, L11, and L24 that can be used in breeding programs to optimize performance and reduce environmental impact. The genetic diversity of the landraces was investigated using 11 SCoT primers revealed high levels of genetic diversity among landraces, with a wide range of polymorphism variation. The phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct clades, providing valuable insights into genetic diversity and relationships between different landraces. An interesting observation was made in the study, whereby L6 and L13, collected from Fayoum and Port-Said, respectively, were found to be the closest landraces. Following closely were L7 and L14, which were also collected from the same governorates. These findings have significant implications for the conservation of these landraces, as they may have evolved from similar species. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the genetic diversity and relationships among 25 Egyptian basil landraces. Using SCoT markers, a high level of polymorphism was detected, indicating significant variation in the genetic makeup of the landraces. The study also revealed interesting observations regarding the relationships among the landraces, with some landraces appearing to have evolved from similar species. The phylogenetic analysis provided insights into the genetic relationships among the landraces, which can guide conservation efforts and breeding programs. Overall, this study provides valuable information for researchers, breeders, and farmers involved in the conservation, breeding, and utilization of basil genetic resources in Egypt.