Luis María Suárez-Rodríguez
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Chapters authored
Transcriptome (ESTs) of Avocado “Native” Mexicano Early Seed Development Shows Abundance of Regulatory, Antioxidant and Defense Genes
Avocado native “Mexicano” (Persea americana var drymifolia) has been a really important species in agricultural and indigenous medicine. In the agricultural world, it has been the germplasm source for the generation of economically important cultivars like Hass and it is the main source of rootstocks for the world production of Hass avocado fruit. In spite of its importance, little is known about the molecular network of seed-fruit development. The aim of this work was to know the expressed genes (ESTs) during the early avocado native “Mexicano” seed development. Using total RNA we constructed cDNA libraries of fourth months seed development, sequencing, assembling and bioinformatic analysis was made. For validation, a semi-quantitative PCR experiments with the most abundant genes were made. About 5005 ESTs from the 5’ representing 1653 possible unigenes were isolated. After assembling process, we have 171 genes that are closely related to Nelumbo nucifera sequences. The transcriptome is dominating by one bHLH transcription factor, three metallothioneins and snakin, suggesting its main role in seed development. Until now, there are no molecular studies in avocado seed development.
Part of the book: Seed Biology
In Vitro Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Two Avocado Varieties
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a tree native to central and eastern Mexico. A basal angiosperm of the Lauraceae family, it produces an oil-rich fruit that is appreciated worldwide for its nutritional value. Mexico is the world’s leading avocado producer. Production is based mainly on the use of rootstocks of Persea americana var. drymifolia, a “Mexican native”. The agronomic characteristics of the rootstock are key to avocado production. This work reports a germination method to obtain seedlings in vitro from two avocado varieties, P. americana var. drymifolia and West Indian P. americana var. americana. With this system, germination success rates of 100% were obtained in a maximum of five days, with homogeneous seedling development. This system could provide rootstock that improves the characteristics of agronomic programs and the selection of genetic material for avocado production.
Part of the book: Seed Biology Updates