Articles
Clone variation and cultivar discrimination of Distylium using ISSR markers
Article number
1185_28
Pages
215 – 220
Language
English
Abstract
Distylium is a popular ornamental plant in Asian countries and has recently gained popularity in the eastern United States through the breeding efforts of the University of Georgia woody plant research program.
Three new cultivars were recently marketed in the nursery industry and garden centers, and confusion surrounding the new and existing cultivars was problematic.
To better understand the genetic relationships and identify the named cultivars, 38 accessions of Distylium and one Sycopsis sinensis were collected and analyzed using ISSR markers.
A total of 234 markers were generated from 15 primers, and 195 markers (83.3%) were polymorphic markers.
Both D. racemosum and D. myricoides were in the trade, and the majority of Distylium were derived from their hybrid.
Seedling populations from the hybrid have been evaluated over the last eight years, and three cultivars were selected and released to the industry based on their performance.
ISSR markers fully supported them as independent cultivars. ‘Emerald Height’ inherited more genes from D. racemosum, while ‘Vintage Jade’ and ‘Blue Cascade’ were genetically closer to D. myricoides. Based on both morphological and DNA data, we determined two clones that should be further evaluated for their potential as two new cultivars.
Three anonymous plants were identified as ‘Vintage Jade’. One seedling plant with a very slow growing rate and whitish to pinkish new foliage was similar to ‘Spring Frost’, and their ISSR markers were almost identical.
The plant recently had new sprouts and restored its normal branch growth rate.
Further studies should address this phenomenon in its gene expression.
Three new cultivars were recently marketed in the nursery industry and garden centers, and confusion surrounding the new and existing cultivars was problematic.
To better understand the genetic relationships and identify the named cultivars, 38 accessions of Distylium and one Sycopsis sinensis were collected and analyzed using ISSR markers.
A total of 234 markers were generated from 15 primers, and 195 markers (83.3%) were polymorphic markers.
Both D. racemosum and D. myricoides were in the trade, and the majority of Distylium were derived from their hybrid.
Seedling populations from the hybrid have been evaluated over the last eight years, and three cultivars were selected and released to the industry based on their performance.
ISSR markers fully supported them as independent cultivars. ‘Emerald Height’ inherited more genes from D. racemosum, while ‘Vintage Jade’ and ‘Blue Cascade’ were genetically closer to D. myricoides. Based on both morphological and DNA data, we determined two clones that should be further evaluated for their potential as two new cultivars.
Three anonymous plants were identified as ‘Vintage Jade’. One seedling plant with a very slow growing rate and whitish to pinkish new foliage was similar to ‘Spring Frost’, and their ISSR markers were almost identical.
The plant recently had new sprouts and restored its normal branch growth rate.
Further studies should address this phenomenon in its gene expression.
Authors
Y. Yang, D. Zhang, J. Kardos, H. Li, M. Dirr, X. Jin
Keywords
clonal identity, cultivar discrimination, Distylium, ISSR markers
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