Molecular Analysis of Rhynchosporium secalis Population Collected from Barley Cultivars having Different Resistance Specificities

Molecular analysis was performed to detect genetic diversity in 106 Rhynchosporium secalis isolates collected from different regions of Canada using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The isolates collected from barley cultivars having different resistance specificity to R. secalis and grown in geographically distinct regions, exhibited reproducible variation for 2–3 polymorphic PCR products per decamer primer. Analysis of 1960 RAPD markers data obtained with five primers formed 5 groups with different genetic similarity. High genetic variation was observed in R. secalis isolates obtained from resistant and susceptible cultivars of barley. Isolates collected from susceptible cultivars showed a tendency to group together, whereas isolates from resistant cultivars were divergent. R. secalis isolates infecting different barley cultivars released as resistant to the barley scald formed a specific group with UPGMA, even though all these isolates were collected from the same epidemiological region. Analysis of 15 isolates collected from one resistant cultivar Duke formed three clusters with low bootstrap values indicating high genetic diversity among the isolates present on a single host cultivar.     

Assessment of genetic variation within Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) germplasm using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Genetic diversity among 45 Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) genotypes comprising 37 germplasm collections, five advance breeding lines and three improved cultivars was investigated at the DNA level using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Fifteen primers used generated a total of 92 RAPD fragments, of which 81 (88%) were polymorphic. Of these, 13 were unique to accession 'Pak85559'. Each primer produced four to nine amplified products with an average of 6.13 bands per primer. Based on pairwise comparisons of RAPD amplification products, Nei and Li's similarity coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationships among the accessions. Pairwise similarity indices were higher among the oilseed accessions and cultivars showing narrow ranges of 0.77-0.99. An unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages cluster analysis based on these genetic similarities placed most of the collections and oilseed cultivars close to each other, showing a low level of polymorphism between the accessions used. However, the clusters formed by oilseed collections and cultivars were comparatively distinct from that of advanced breeding lines. Genetically, all of the accessions were classified into a few major groups and a number of individual accessions. Advanced breeding lines were relatively divergent from the rest of the accessions and formed independent clusters. Clustering of the accessions did not show any pattern of association between the RAPD markers and the collection sites. A low level of genetic variability of oilseed mustard was attributed to the selection for similar traits and horticultural uses. Perhaps close parentage of these accessions further contributed towards their little diversity. The study demonstrated that RAPD is a simple and fast technique to compare the genetic relationship and pattern of variation among the gene pool of this crop.     

Genetic diversity analysis of 60 ginger germplasm core accessions using ISSR and SSR markers

Molecular techniques play a critical role in studies of phylogeny and, thus, have been applied to understand the distribution and extent of genetic variation within and between species. In the present study, a genetic analysis was undertaken using molecular markers (9 ISSR and 13 SSR) on 60 ginger cultivars from different regions of the eastern coast of India (Odisha). The data obtained with 22 polymorphic markers revealed moderate to high diversity in the collection. Both ISSR and SSR markers were efficient in distinguishing all the 60 ginger cultivars. A total of 42 and 160 polymorphic bands were observed with ISSR and SSR markers, respectively. However, SSR markers were observed to be better at displaying average polymorphism (63.29%) than ISSR markers (55%). Analysis of molecular variance results showed that 52 and 66% of the variation occurred among different ginger populations, whereas 48 and 34% of the variation was found within populations, respectively, using ISSR and SSR markers, indicating that ginger cultivars display significant genetic diversity at the population level. Principal coordinates analysis and the dendrogram constructed out of combined data of both markers showed grouping of ginger accessions to their respective area of collection, indicating geographical closeness due to genetic similarity irrespective of the relationship that exists at the morphological level.     

Genetic diversity in North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) grown in Ontario detected by RAPD analysis

Genetic diversity within North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) grown in Ontario was investigated at the DNA level using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 420 random decamers were initially screened against DNA from four ginseng plants and 78.8% of them generated RAPD fragments. Thirty-six of the decamers that generated highly repeatable polymorphic RAPD markers were selected for further RAPD analysis of the ginseng population. With these primers, 352 discernible DNA fragments were produced from DNA of 48 ginseng plants, corresponding to an average of 9.8 fragments per primer, of which over 45% were polymorphic. The similarity coefficients among the DNA of ginseng plants analyzed were low, ranging from 0.149 to 0.605 with a mean of 0.412, indicating that a high degree of genetic diversity exists in the ginseng population. Lower levels of genetic diversity were detected among 3-year-old ginseng plants selected on the basis of greater plant height than among the plants randomly selected from the same subpopulation or over the whole population, suggesting that genetic factors at least partly contribute to morphological variation within the ginseng population and that visual selection can be effective in identifying the genetic differences. The significance of a high degree of genetic variation in the ginseng population on its potential for improvement by breeding is also discussed.     

采用RAPD技术探讨花椒的遗传多样性及其与环境的关系

采用RAPD分子标记方法分析11个花椒品种的遗传多样性,以及遗传多样性与环境因素的相关性。从60条随机引物中筛选出10条引物,共扩增出67条带,平均每个引物扩增出6．7条,其中56条具有多态性,多态比例为84％。根据品种间的遗传距离构建的聚类分析树状图,11个花椒品种的相似系数在0．08-0．92之间,可分为2个类群,这种分类与花椒的叶的外形分类结果一致。不同地域种植的同一品种材料遗传距离较大,显示花椒的遗传多样性与地域分布有关系。     

不同尺度下野大豆种群的遗传分化

为了阐明不同尺度范围内野大豆种群的遗传分化情况,应用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）方法,分别对我国5个纬度8个不同地点的野大豆（Glycine soja)种群及浙江金华地区5个野大豆种群,进行了分子生态学研究。根据RAPD数据计算相似系数及遗传距离并进行聚类分析,发现无论是不同纬度野大豆种群还是金华地区野大豆小种群均存在较高的遗传变异,且不同纬度野大豆种群间的遗传变异与地理纬度有一定正相关。在对金华地区野大豆种群遗传多样怀的研究,利用Shannon指数估算了5个野大豆种群的遗传多样性,发现大部分的遗传变异存在于野大豆种群间（78．5％）,只有少部分的遗传变异存在于种群内。本就此探讨了不同尺度下野大豆种群的遗传多样性与环境因子的关系,并对其成因及维持机制进行了讨论。     

Pathogenic and molecular characterisations of pigeonpea wilt pathogen Fusarium udum

Thirty two pathogenic isolates of Fusarium udum from different pigeonpea growing areas in India were studied for pathogenic and molecular variability. Pathogenic variability was tested on 12 pigeonpea differential genotypes, which revealed prevalence of five variants in F. udum. The amount of genetic variation was evaluated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification with 20 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and nine microsatellite markers. All amplifications revealed scorable polymorphisms among the isolates, and a total of 137 polymorphic fragments were scored for the RAPD markers and 16 alleles for the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. RAPD primers showed 86% polymorphism. Genetic similarity was calculated using Jaccard's similarity coefficient and cluster analysis was used to generate a dendrogram showing relationships between them. Isolates could be grouped into three subpopulations based on molecular analysis. Results indicated that there is high genetic variability among a subpopulation of F. udum as identified by RAPD and SSR markers and pathogenicity on differential genotypes.     

RAPD分析花椰花不同品种的遗传变异

利用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）方法,对13个花椰花品种的基因组DNA进行多态性分析。选用20个10bp随机引物,共扩增出175条DNA片段,其中多态性片段118例,占67．4％,结果表明,花椰花品种间具有丰富的遗传多样性。依据扩增结果进行遗传相似系数分析,构建聚类分析树状图。初步探讨了各品种间的遗传变异关系及RAPD技术在花椰花种质资源分类鉴定和育种工作中的应用前景。     

Random amplified polymorphic DNA variation among remnant big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii vitman) populations from Arkansas' grand prairie

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to characterize genetic diversity and genetic distinctiveness of Andropogon gerardii from remnant Arkansas prairies. Six oligonucleotide primers, which generated 37 RAPD bands, were used to analyse 30-32 plants from six Grand Prairie populations, Baker Prairie (Arkansas Ozarks), two Illinois prairies and two cultivars. Genetic diversity of the Arkansas remnants ranged from 82.7 to 99.3%, with 89% of the total genetic variation within and 11% among populations. The partitioning of genetic variation was consistent with that reported for other outcrossing perennial grasses, using the more conservative allozyme markers. Principal component analysis indicated a northern and southern association within Arkansas' Grand Prairie. Although there was no genetic structuring at the landscape level, the Illinois prairies and cultivars were different from all Arkansas prairies tested. There was significant within-population structuring in four of the seven Arkansas remnants, with a negative relationship between genetic similarity and geographical distance. The three nonstructured populations were from a linear railroad remnant, suggesting different population-level dynamics from nonlinear prairies. The results of this study indicated that small isolated remnant big bluestem populations were not genetically depauperate and that genetic relationships among populations could not be predicted solely on geographical proximity.     

Genetic Diversity in Grapevine Germplasm Resources in the Coruh Valley Revealed by RAPD Markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis was carried out in 35 autochthonous table grapevine cultivars grown in Coruh valley. Fifty-five oligonucleotide primers were screened on cultivars, and among them, 12 primers showed clear polymorphic patterns. PCR amplification with 12 primers generated a total of 157 polymorphic bands. There was genetic variation among the cultivars with values of genetic diversity ranging from 0.19 to 0.72 using the Jaccard coefficient. UPGMA analysis of the distance matrix resulted in a dendrogram with two main clusters. The first cluster included 28 cultivars and the second 7 cultivars. The greatest genetic similarity was observed between cultivars Gah and Kolik, while the greatest dissimilarity was observed between cultivars Gah and Siyah Kus Uzumu. The dendrogram revealed that the cultivars present in Coruh valley can be distinguished to a relatively high degree.     

Genetic diversity of an Italian Rhizobium meliloti population from different Medicago sativa varieties.

We investigated the genetic diversity of 96 Rhizobium meliloti strains isolated from nodules of four Medicago sativa varieties from distinct geographic areas and planted in two different northern Italian soils. The 96 isolates, which were phenotypically indistinguishable, were analyzed for DNA polymorphism with the following three methods: (i) a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method, (ii) a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S-23S ribosomal operon spacer region, and (iii) an RFLP analysis of a 25-kb region of the pSym plasmid containing nod genes. Although the bacteria which were studied constituted a unique genetic population, a considerable level of genetic diversity was found. The new analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) method was used to estimate the variance among the RAPD patterns. The results indicated that there was significant genetic diversity among strains nodulating different varieties. The AMOVA method was confirmed to be a useful tool for investigating the genetic variation in an intraspecific population. Moreover, the data obtained with the two RFLP methods were consistent with the RAPD results. The genetic diversity of the population was found to reside on the whole bacterial genome, as suggested by the RAPD analysis results, and seemed to be distributed on both the chromosome and plasmid pSym.     

Identification and analysis of genetic variation among rose cultivars using random amplified polymorphic DNA

Identified germplasm is an important component for efficient and effective management of plant genetic resources. Traditionally, cultivars or species identification has relied on morphological characters like growth habit or floral morphology like flower colour and other characteristics of the plant. Studies were undertaken for identification and analysis of genetic variation within 34 rose cultivars through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Analysis was made by using twenty five decamer primers. Out of twenty five, ten primers were selected and used for identification and analysis of genetic relationships among 34 rose cultivars. A total of 162 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.1 to 3.4 kb was amplified by using 10 selected random decamer primers. The genetic similarity was evaluated on the basis of presence or absence of bands. The cluster analysis indicated that the 34 rose cultivars form 9 clusters. The first cluster consists of eight hybrid cultivars, three clusters having five cultivars each, one cluster having four cultivars, two clusters having three cultivars each and two clusters having one cultivar each. The genetic distance was very close within the cultivars. Thus, these RAPD markers have the potential for identification of clusters and characterization of genetic variation within the cultivars. This is also helpful in rose breeding programs and provides a major input into conservation biology.     

Analysis of genetic diversity in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding populations as revealed by RAPD genetic markers.

Red clover is an important forage legume species for temperate regions and very little is known about the genetic organization of its breeding populations. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genetic markers to address the genetic diversity and the distribution of variation in 20 breeding populations and cultivars from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Switzerland. Genetic distances were calculated for all possible pairwise combinations. A high level of polymorphism was found and the proportion of polymorphic loci across populations was 74.2%. A population derived from a non-certified seedlot displayed a higher proportion of polymorphic loci than its respective certified seedlot. Gene diversity values and population genetics parameters suggest that the populations analyzed are diverse. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the largest proportion of variation (80.4%) resides at the within population level. RAPD markers are a useful tool for red clover breeding programs. A dendrogram based on genetic distances divided the breeding populations analyzed into three distinct groups. The amount and partition of diversity observed can be of value in identifying the populations that parents of synthetic cultivars are derived from and to exploit the variation available in the populations analyzed.     

利用RAPD分析披碱草属、鹅观草属和猬草属模式种的亲缘关系

利用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）技术对小麦族披碱草属、鹅观草属和猬草属3个属的模式种进行了基因组DNA多态性分析。42个引物产物的290条谱带中,257条（88.62%)表现出多态性,说明披碱草属、鹅观草属和猬草属3个属的模式种间具有丰富的遗传多样性。利用290个RAPD标记,计算材料间Nei氏遗传相似性系和遗传距离,在NTSYS程序中利用UPGMA进行聚类。结果表明,Elymus sibiricus种不同居群间的遗传差异较小,遗传距离在0.097-0.180之间。E.sibiricus,Roegneria caucasica和Hystrix patula的种间遗传差异明显,遗传距离在0.458-0.605之间。H.patula与E.sibiricus的亲缘关系较近。R.caucasica与E.sibiricus的亲缘关系较远。     

中华水韭遗传多样性的RAPD分析

采用RAPD方法对珍稀濒危植物中华水韭(Isoetes sinensis)4个自然居群的48个样品进行了DNA多态性分析。从60个随机引物中筛选出14个有效引物,共产生124条DNA片段,其中72条为多态性条带,总的多态位点百分率(PPB)为58．06％。各居群间多态位点百分率差异显著(0．81％-12．90％)。AMOVA分析结果表明,4个居群间基因分化系数Фst=0．5894,即遗传变异中有相当一部分来源于群体间(58．94％)。日益缩小的种群规模而导致的居群内近交和遗传漂变的发生以及居群间有限的基因交流可能是中华水韭目前遗传结构的主要成因。鉴于目前中华水韭居群内个体数偏少、遗传多样性较低的现状,建议对其进行就地保护并保护尽可能多的生境,对不同自然居群内的个体进行植株相互移栽和育苗移栽,以提高不同居群间的基因交流,尽可能地保护中华水韭的遗传多样性。     

Molecular polymorphisms in Palestinian Figs (Ficus carica L.) as revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

The genetic diversity of 13 local Palestinian fig genotypes was investigated using RAPD markers. Among the 30 tested primers, 28 revealed various banding patterns and 2 generated no polymorphic bands. In addition, 13 primers (46.4%) produced good amplification products with high intensity and pattern stability. A total of 94 DNA fragments (loci), separated by electrophoresis on agarose gel were detected, ranging in size from 190 to 1300 bp. Of these fragments, 72 (76.6%) were polymorphic and 22 (23.4%) were monomorphic. A minimum of three and a maximum of eight DNA fragments were obtained using (OPH-02 and OPT-10) as well as (OPA-13, OPA-18 and OPY-07) primers respectively. The maximum percentage of polymorphic markers was 100.0 (Z-5, Z-12, and OPT-10) and the minimum was 60.0 (OPH-02). Primers OPY-07 and OPA-13 revealed high collective resolving power (Rp) values with 4.640 and 4.760 respectively and therefore, they were the most useful RAPD primers to assess the genetic diversity in the Palestinian figs. Genetic distance matrix showed an average distance range from 0.186 to 0.559 with a mean of 0.373. Thus, the cultivars tested in this study were characterized by large divergence at the DNA level. To our knowledge, this is the first report using RAPD marker to assess genetic diversity of Palestinian figs.     

Identification and genetic variation among Hibiscus species (Malvaceae) using RAPD markers

Germplasm identification and characterization is an important link between the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Traditionally, species or cultivars identification has relied on morphological characters like growth habit or floral morphology like flower colour and other characteristics of the plant. Studies were undertaken for identification and determination of genetic variation within the two species of Hibiscus and 16 varieties of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. through random amplified polymorphic (RAPD) markers. Primer screening was made by using the DNA of variety "Prolific". Genetic analysis was made by using ten selected decamer primers. A total of 79 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 kb were amplified by using ten selected random decamer primers. The genetic similarity was evaluated on the basis of presence or absence of bands. The cluster analysis indicated that the 16 varieties and two species formed one cluster. The first major cluster consisted of three varieties and a second major cluster consisted of two species and 13 varieties. The genetic distance was very close within the varieties and also among the species. Thus, these RAPD markers have the potential for identification of species/varieties and characterization of genetic variation within the varieties. This is also helpful in Hibiscus breeding programs and provides a major input into conservation biology.     

Genetic and Pathogenic Variation Among Tobacco Black Shank Strains of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae from the Main Tobacco Growing in China

Pathogenic and genetic variability among seven populations of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae from individual tobacco fields (Yunnan, Shandong, Henan, Heilongjiang, Shanxi, Fujian and Sichuan provinces) were investigated using pathogenicity and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses; 63 strains were isolated from different fields of seven tobacco growing regions, using tobacco cv. Hongda as a baiting host. Pathogenic variability was evaluated in greenhouse studies using five tobacco cultivars that have different levels of resistance to tobacco black shank; 75 and 73% of the strains were pathogenic on M3 and M4, 29 and 33% on M1 and M2, and 94% were pathogenic on M5, respectively. Disease severity incited by different strains varied significantly on individual tobacco cultivars. The percentage of strains pathogenic on different cultivars varied among locations. Genotypic variation among 63 strains was evaluated by RAPD analysis. Ten primers detected 89 polymorphic bands. Cluster and principal coordinates analysed cluster groups. the minor group contained 26 strains, and major group contained 37 strains. Estimates of genetic diversity based on RAPD analysis ranged from 0.24 to 0.34 within populations to 0.36 among all strains from all populations. Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae populations were genotypically and phenotypically variable, but no distinct genotypic differences were identified among populations from the seven locations.     

Application of RAPD markers for characterization of γ-ray-induced rose mutants and assessment of genetic diversity

Six parent and their 12 gamma ray-induced somatic flower colour mutants of garden rose were characterized to discriminate the mutants from their respective parents and understanding the genetic diversity using Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Out of 20 primers screened, 14 primers yielded completely identical fragments patterns. The other 7 primers gave highly polymorphic banding patterns among the radiomutants. All the cultivars were identified by using only 7 primers. Moreover, individual mutants were also distinguished by unique RAPD marker bands. Based on the presence or absence of the 48 polymorphic bands, the genetic variations within and among the 18 cultivars were measured. Genetic distance between all 18 cultivars varied from 0.40 to 0.91, as revealed by Jaccard’s coefficient matrix. A dendrogram was constructed based on the similarity matrix using the Neighbor Joining Tree method showed three main clusters. The present RAPD analysis can be used not only for estimating genetic diversity present in gamma ray-induced mutants but also for correct identification of mutant/new varieties for their legal protection under plant variety rights.     

AFLP and RAPD analyses of genetic diversity of wild and/or weedy Guizotia (Asteraceae) from Ethiopia

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to provide estimates of the comparative genetic variation within and among populations of various Guizotia taxa with the goal of conserving and utilizing their genetic diversity. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P(S)) ranged from 28.5%-90% (AFLP) and 85.6%-99.6% (RAPD). The overall gene diversity estimate () has shown slight variation among taxa ranging from 0.32-0.37 (AFLP) and from 0.22 to 0.28 (RAPD). The within population diversity of "Chelelu" and "Ketcha" was found to be unexpectedly high. Both parameters used to estimate population differentiation (G(ST) and F(ST)) revealed the highest population differentiation G. zavattarii in followed by G. arborescens. Genetic variation among populations within a taxon was highly significant for all the five taxa as revealed by AMOVA (P<0.0001). The need for immediate conservation activities for G. arborescens and G. zavattarii, and factors that contribute to the existing genetic variability and population genetic structures are discussed.