Abstract Detail

Population Genetics/Genomics

Morrow, Beck [1].

Genomic Evaluation of Abenaki Heritage Beans.

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a crop that was initially domesticated by humans some seven to eight thousand years ago in both Mexico and Peru. Historical records in Vermont’s Lake Champlain basin show that the indigenous Abenaki people grew Phaseolus vulgaris prior to European contact. Following European contact, beans from both regions of domestication were brought back to Europe where they were hybridized. Here we examine genetic variation in a collection of heirloom bean varieties collected from Abenaki and other tribally run farms across the Abenaki indigenous range to determine if present day Abenaki heirloom varieties bear greater affinity to the original Mexican varieties that would have been present in 1491, or Peruvian varieties that have been brought to the United States by way of colonial European trade networks. Restricted Site-Associated DNA sequencing was used to assess single nucleotide polymorphisms between these heirloom varieties. We used a STRUCTURE analysis to determine how many genetically district populations are present in this germplasm collection, to distinguish heirloom varieties of Mexican or Peruvian ancestry. Our results are consistent with both Mexican and Peruvian ancestry, with both genepools being present in the Northeastern heirloom varieties. Regardless of this study’s results, the conclusions aim to restore some of this lost history, and will be able to benefit not only the academic community, but the Abenaki people and their relationship with their own ancient agricultural sovereignty and food security.

1 - University of Vermont, Plant and Soil Science, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05405, United States

Keywords:
landrace
Abenaki heritage
Phaseolus vulgaris
bean
genome.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Population Genetics/Genomics Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPG002
Abstract ID:275
Candidate for Awards:None