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Malus sieversii

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Malus sieversii is a wild apple native to the mountains of Central Asia in southern Kazakhstan. It has recently been shown to be the primary ancestor of most cultivars of the domesticated apple (Malus domestica)[citation needed]. It was first described as Pyrus sieversii due to its similarities with pears in 1833 by Carl Friedrich von Ledebour, a German naturalist who saw them growing in the Altai Mountains.[5]

Malus sieversii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Malus
Species:
M. sieversii
Binomial name
Malus sieversii
Synonyms[2][3][4]

Malus sieversii grows in many different habitats.[5] They prefer high temperatures and short winters, but they are also found in the Tian Shan Mountains with long and harsh winters.[5] They are distributed mainly within the Yili valley as the damp climate is suitable for their growth.[6][7]

It is a deciduous tree growing 5 to 12 metres (16 to 39 ft), very similar in appearance to the domestic apple. Its pollen grains vary in size and are seen to be ovular when dry and spherical when swelled with water.[7] Its fruit is the largest of any species of Malus except domestica, up to 7 cm in diameter, equal in size to many modern apple cultivars. Unlike domesticated varieties, its leaves go red in autumn: 62% of the trees in the wild do this compared to only 2.8% of the regular apple plant or the 2,170 English cultivated varieties.[8] The species is now considered vulnerable to extinction.

Characteristics and growth

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M. sieversii has the capability to reproduce vegetatively as they form root suckers, or basal shoots.[5] The clonal individual grows from the adventitious bud on the root, with identical genetic materials to the mother plant.[5] It was originally believed that wild apples produce root suckers only when upper plant parts are damaged.[5] However, more evidence suggested root-sucker growth occurs in healthy plants as a dispersal aid.[5]

For wild apples, proper development of root suckers requires certain humidity and aeration levels in the surface soil, where the mother root is located. Successful root-sucker growth also depends on shoot arrangement, time of growth and health conditions of the mother plant.[5]

Genetics of self-incompatibility, the system for preventing self-fertilization in angiosperms, have also been studied for M. sieversii.[9] Its genetic diversity in relation to self-incompatibility is substantially less when compared to its close relative, Malus sylvestris.[9] Although M. sieversii lacks this diversity, it can survive in the wild without intervention as long as no more diversity loss occurs.[9] The leading theory for this lack of diversity is due to a major population bottleneck during the Last Glacial Maximum which caused wild M. sieversii populations to scale back into a smaller area within the Yili Valley.[9][10]

Growth cycle

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The growth cycle of M. sieversii could be divided into several stages from germination to developing fruit bearing trees, and to the death of aged trees.[5]

  • Period I starts from seed germination to the development of vegetative tree parts, and to the first round of fruiting.[5] A typical apple tree reaches age 6 to 8 in this period. Prominent primary growth and a significant number of root sucker growth are seen in this period.[5]
  • Period II involves more growth and fruit bearing.[5] Wild apple trees usually reach age 10 to 12 in this period.[5] The number of fruits increase significantly as prominent secondary growth and branching take place.[5]
  • Period III involves more growth and fruit bearing.[5] Wild apple trees enter regular fruiting and reach maximum fruit bearing in this period, and usually reach age 25 to 30.[5] Decreased branching rate, and less growth of crown periphery are seen.[5] A lot of vegetative growth is contributed by basal shoots (root suckers).[5]
  • Period IV is fully fruit bearing.[5] Development of trees fully ceases in this stage and they reach around 60 to 70 years of age.[5] Branching decreases as they slowly die off from the base to the periphery. After age 60 to 70, trees experience rapid desiccation of the branches, then death.[5]

History and importance

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Malus sieversii has previously been identified as the main contributor to the genome of the cultivated apple (Malus domestica), on the basis of morphological, molecular, and historical evidence.[11] Fruit traits including crispness, more flavour intensity and fruit weight have undergone differential selection by humans to produce Malus domestica as seen today.[12] The dispersal of M. sieversii and its progeny throughout history can be attributed to the Silk Road.[13] A DNA analysis in 2010 confirmed M. sieversii as the progenitor of the cultivated apple.[14] It has a highly variable genetic diversity therefore it is the genetic source for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, many disease resistance and unique fruit traits.[15]

Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, and formerly its capital, derives its name from the Kazakh word for "apple" (Alma), and is often translated as "full of apples" (the region surrounding Almaty is home to forests of Malus sieversii).

The threat of extinction

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After the collapse of the USSR and the closure of the Gardening Development Program, the local population began to actively cut down wild gardens in the Zailiyskiy Alatau. The vacated territories are used for building houses and grazing animals.[citation needed]

Planting cultivated apple varieties in private households close to wild groves causes crossbreeding.[16]

Renewed interest

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These and other Malus species have been used in some recent breeding programmes to develop apples suitable for growing in harsh climates unsuitable for M. domestica, mainly for increased cold tolerance.[17] A study in 2020 has discovered various gene inserts involved in dormancy and cold resistance features, such as heat shock proteins, in wild apples.[15] In addition, desirable traits such as late flowering, early fruit maturity, short juvenility and stooling capability were studied by many breeding programs.[18]

Malus sieversii has recently been cultivated by the United States Agricultural Research Service, in hopes of finding genetic information of value in the breeding of the modern apple plant. Some, but not all, of the resulting trees show unusual disease resistance. The variation in their response to disease on an individual basis is, itself, a sign of how much more genetically diverse they are than their domesticated descendants. For instance, wild apples were found to have multiple blue mold resistant genes, specifically against Penicillium expansum.[19] The USDA Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) also conducted phenotypic analysis on M. sieversii seedlings, and has identified various pathogenic resistance including apple scab, fire blight, and cedar apple rust.[20] A research in 2001 found various insect resistances within M. sieversii seedlings, and has identified instances for further research on its resistance for apple maggots and apple leaf curling midges.[13] Effects of heat on M. sieversii were also studied in hot and arid regions, and they were found to be considerably drought tolerant and sunburn resistant.[13][21]

Red-fleshed apples

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Malus sieversii has been recently used as a critical source in the breeding of red-fleshed apples, due to its high genetic variability. This is seen as they are used to improve the stress resistance towards drought, cold, and pests of cultivated apple species.[22] Some neglected characteristics of M. sieversii, such as high-flavonoid contents (especially anthocyanin) and short juvenile phases, have recently been used for red-fleshed apple breeding since traditional red-fleshed apples are not rich in these flavonoids.[22] Using M. sieversii for breeding due to its high anthocyanin content has numerous benefits, including preventing cardiovascular disease and protecting against liver damage.[23] The variant of M. sieversii, Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana, has been emphasized for the use of breeding red-fleshed apples since it has red flowers, fruit skin, and pulp; in addition to its high anthocyanin content.[24][23] When breeding Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana, it was found that light results in higher anthocyanin production than those bred in the dark.[23] Hybrids of Malus sieversii have also been an interest for breeders of red-fleshed apples.[25]

Conservation

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Malus sieversii has been designated as second conservation priority in the China Plant Red Data Book, and has been marked as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[26]

Human activities and natural disasters are the major contributors to the decline of M. sieversii natural population.[5] Fungal pathogens, such as Phytophthora plurivora and Alternaria alternata, also play a major role in the decline of M. sieversii populations, by degrading vegetative parts such as the fine root systems.[27][28] This immune vulnerability makes M. sieversii become susceptible to more parasites, such as pathogenic insects Agrilus mali, to further destroy the population.[27][29]

Ex situ conservation, or seed banking, is believed to be a feasible long-term resolution to protect its genetic diversity, and has been seen in the United States using seeds collected from Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.[7][20] In situ conservation was also found with barbed wire fences being placed around regions distributed with M. sieversii, as seen in areas within Xinyuan, China.[7] A study in 2016 has shown the effectiveness of protecting M. sieversii populations in situ through stratification and seed coat removal.[7] Also, in situ enclosures are more effective in higher elevations as they are at less risk of human and insect injuries.[7]

Aside from traditional conservation methods, biofertilizer has shown effective results inhibiting fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata in wild apple trees. It does this by improving antioxidant capability of wild apple trees following the infection, promoting root growth and enhancing soil metabolism.[28] Recently, a combination of innovative methods including cloning and plant hormone treatment has also shown effective results in regenerating wild apple populations.[29]

Wild apple trees were heavily lumbered for economical and agricultural uses in the mountains of Kazakhstan during the 1800s.[5] Wild apple forests were turned into pastureland, which greatly changed the soil covering, and damaged young seedlings and roots.[5] Prickly shrubs, such as eglantine and barberry exhibiting symbiotic relationships with wild apples by shielding them from predators were also cut.[5] This further worsened the growing condition for wild apples, and severely weakened root suckers and therefore vegetative propagation.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ Participants of the FFI/IUCN SSC Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (11-13 July 2006) (2007). "Malus sieversii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T32363A9693009. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T32363A9693009.en.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Malus sieversii". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  3. ^ "Malus sieversii". Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. Retrieved 2018-08-17 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  4. ^ Gu, Cuizhi; Spongberg, Stephen A. "Malus sieversii". Flora of China. Vol. 9 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Dzhangaliev, A. D. (2010-07-05), "The Wild Apple Tree of Kazakhstan", Horticultural Reviews, Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 63–303, doi:10.1002/9780470650868.ch2, ISBN 9780470650868, retrieved 2021-12-04
  6. ^ Shan, Qianjuan; Ling, Hongbo; Zhao, Hangzheng; Li, Mengyi; Wang, Zikang; Zhang, Guangpeng (2021-06-16). "Do Extreme Climate Events Cause the Degradation of Malus sieversii Forests in China?". Frontiers in Plant Science. 12: 608211. doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.608211. PMC 8244594. PMID 34220874.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Yang, Meiling; Li, Fang; Long, Hong; Yu, Weiwei; Yan, Xiuna; Liu, Bin; Zhang, Yunxiu; Yan, Guorong; Song, Wenqin (September 2016). "Ecological Distribution, Reproductive Characteristics, and In Situ Conservation of Malus sieversii in Xinjiang, China". HortScience. 51 (9): 1197–1201. doi:10.21273/hortsci10952-16. S2CID 89509181.
  8. ^ Archetti, M (2009). "Evidence from the domestication of apple for the maintenance of autumn colours by coevolution". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 276 (1667): 2575–80. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0355. PMC 2684696. PMID 19369261.
  9. ^ a b c d Ma, X; Cai, Z; Liu, W; Ge, S; Tang, L (2017-06-21). "Identification, genealogical structure and population genetics of S-alleles in Malus sieversii, the wild ancestor of domesticated apple". Heredity. 119 (3): 185–196. doi:10.1038/hdy.2017.28. PMC 5564378. PMID 28635965.
  10. ^ Zhang, HongXiang; Zhang, MingLi; Wang, LiNa (2014-11-15). "Genetic structure and historical demography of Malus sieversii in the Yili Valley and the western mountains of the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China". Journal of Arid Land. 7 (2): 264–271. doi:10.1007/s40333-014-0044-2. S2CID 40506901.
  11. ^ Cornille A, Gladieux P, Smulders MJ, Roldán-Ruiz I, Laurens F, et al. (2012). "New Insight into the History of Domesticated Apple: Secondary Contribution of the European Wild Apple to the Genome of Cultivated Varieties". PLOS Genetics. 8 (5): e1002703. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002703. PMC 3349737. PMID 22589740.
  12. ^ Kumar, Satish; Raulier, Pierre; Chagné, David; Whitworth, Claire (2014-03-25). "Molecular-level and trait-level differentiation between the cultivated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) and its main progenitor Malus sieversii". Plant Genetic Resources. 12 (3): 330–340. doi:10.1017/s1479262114000136. S2CID 84667156.
  13. ^ a b c Luby, James; Forsline, Philip; Aldwinckle, Herb; Bus, Vincent; Geibel, Martin (April 2001). "Silk Road Apples—Collection, Evaluation, and Utilization of Malus sieversii from Central Asia". HortScience. 36 (2): 225–231. doi:10.21273/hortsci.36.2.225. ISSN 0018-5345.
  14. ^ Velasco R.; Zharkikh A.; Affourtit J.; et al. (2010). "The genome of the domesticated apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)". Nature Genetics. 42 (10): 833–839. doi:10.1038/ng.654. PMID 20802477. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Pyreae and the genus Malus, relative to major Rosaceae taxa, identified the progenitor of the cultivated apple as M. sieversii
  15. ^ a b Wisniewski, Michael; Artlip, Timothy; Liu, Jia; Ma, Jing; Burchard, Erik; Norelli, John; Dardick, Christopher (2020-12-14). "Fox Hunting in Wild Apples: Searching for Novel Genes in Malus sieversii". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21 (24): 9516. doi:10.3390/ijms21249516. PMC 7765095. PMID 33327659.
  16. ^ "Верните сады "Эдема"". zonakz.net (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  17. ^ Sauer, Jonathan D. (1993). Historical Geography of Crop Plants: A Select Roster. CRC Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-8493-8901-6.
  18. ^ Volk, Gayle M.; Henk, Adam D.; Richards, Christopher M.; Forsline, Philip L.; Chao, C. Thomas (December 2013). "Malus sieversii: A Diverse Central Asian Apple Species in the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System". HortScience. 48 (12): 1440–1444. doi:10.21273/hortsci.48.12.1440.
  19. ^ Norelli, John L.; Wisniewski, Michael; Fazio, Gennaro; Burchard, Erik; Gutierrez, Benjamin; Levin, Elena; Droby, Samir (2017-03-03). "Genotyping-by-sequencing markers facilitate the identification of quantitative trait loci controlling resistance to Penicillium expansum in Malus sieversii". PLOS ONE. 12 (3): e0172949. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1272949N. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172949. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5336245. PMID 28257442.
  20. ^ a b Volk, Gayle M.; Richards, Christopher M.; Reilley, Ann A.; Henk, Adam D.; Forsline, Philip L.; Aldwinckle, Herb S. (March 2005). "Ex Situ Conservation of Vegetatively Propagated Species: Development of a Seed-based Core Collection for Malus sieversii". Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 130 (2): 203–210. doi:10.21273/jashs.130.2.203.
  21. ^ Baraniuk, Chris (24 May 2016). "Kazakhstan's treasure trove of wildly-flavoured apples". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  22. ^ a b Wang, Nan; Jiang, Shenghui; Zhang, Zongying; Fang, Hongcheng; Xu, Haifeng; Wang, Yicheng; Chen, Xuesen (2018-10-15). "Malus sieversii: the origin, flavonoid synthesis mechanism, and breeding of red-skinned and red-fleshed apples". Horticulture Research. 5 (1): 70. Bibcode:2018HorR....5...70W. doi:10.1038/s41438-018-0084-4. ISSN 2052-7276. PMC 6186759. PMID 30345062.
  23. ^ a b c Wang, Nan; Zhang, Zongying; Jiang, Shenghui; Xu, Haifeng; Wang, Yicheng; Feng, Shouqian; Chen, Xuesen (2016-10-01). "Synergistic effects of light and temperature on anthocyanin biosynthesis in callus cultures of red-fleshed apple (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana)". Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 127 (1): 217–227. doi:10.1007/s11240-016-1044-z. ISSN 1573-5044. S2CID 15407665.
  24. ^ Wang, Nan; Xu, Haifeng; Jiang, Shenghui; Zhang, Zongying; Lu, Ninglin; Qiu, Huarong; Qu, Changzhi; Wang, Yicheng; Wu, Shujing; Chen, Xuesen (2017). "MYB12 and MYB22 play essential roles in proanthocyanidin and flavonol synthesis in red-fleshed apple (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana)". The Plant Journal. 90 (2): 276–292. doi:10.1111/tpj.13487. ISSN 1365-313X. PMID 28107780. S2CID 21790459.
  25. ^ Wang, Yicheng; Sun, Jingjing; Wang, Nan; Xu, Haifeng; Qu, Changzhi; Jiang, Shenghui; Fang, Hongcheng; Su, Mengyu; Zhang, Zongying; Chen, Xuesen (2018-10-18). "MdMYBL2 helps regulate cytokinin-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in red-fleshed apple (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) callus". Functional Plant Biology. 46 (2): 187–196. doi:10.1071/FP17216. ISSN 1445-4416. PMID 32172760. S2CID 92099299.
  26. ^ Zhang, Hong-Xiang; Li, Hai-Yan; Li, Yu-Xiu (July 2018). "Identifying evolutionarily significant units for conservation of the endangered Malus sieversii using genome-wide RADseq data". Nordic Journal of Botany. 36 (7): e01733. doi:10.1111/njb.01733. ISSN 0107-055X. S2CID 90990280.
  27. ^ a b Liu, Ai-Hua; Shang, Jing; Zhang, Jing-Wen; Kong, Ting-Ting; Yue, Zhao-Yang; Wen, Jun-Bao (2018). "Canker and fine-root loss of Malus sieversii (Ldb.) Roem. caused by Phytophthora plurivora in Xinjiang Province in China". Forest Pathology. 48 (6): e12462. doi:10.1111/efp.12462. S2CID 91368925.
  28. ^ a b Ji, Shida; An, YiBo; Zhang, Huifang; Wang, Yucheng; Liu, Zhihua (May 2021). "Trichoderma biofertilizer (mixTroTha) mediates Malus sieversii resistance to Alternaria alternata". Biological Control. 156: 104539. Bibcode:2021BiolC.15604539J. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104539. ISSN 1049-9644. S2CID 233544458.
  29. ^ a b Zhang, Y.; Bozorov, T. A.; Li, D. X.; Zhou, P.; Wen, X. J.; Ding, Y.; Zhang, D. Y. (2020-04-21). "An efficient in vitro regeneration system from different wild apple (Malus sieversii) explants". Plant Methods. 16 (1): 56. doi:10.1186/s13007-020-00599-0. PMC 7175559. PMID 32336979.
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