STUDY ON THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF NATURAL CHESTNUT POPULATIONS IN SHANDONG CHINA BY SSR MARKERS

The genetic diversity of 279 individuals from 10 populations in Shandong China was investigated using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.
As a result, 79 bands were amplified by 12 informative and reliable primers, of which 71 were polymorphic loci.
A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed: PPL=81.91, H_e=0.2698, H₀=0.3997 (at the species level); PPL=65.58, H_e=0.2004, H₀=0.3010 (at the population level). A higher level of genetic differentiation was detected among populations with Nei’s G_ST analysis and the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA; G_ST=0.2441, F_ST=0.2206). Habitat fragmentation and gene flow may result in genetic differentiation.
UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that the four populations from Linshu, Junan, Tancheng, and Feixian grouped together, whereas Laiyang populations clustered in an isolated clade.
The results showed that a mixed mating system was possibly the main factor influencing the genetic structure of this species.
These results, combined with other information about Castanea mollissima, may provide a valuable basis for proposing conservation strategies.

IV International Chestnut Symposium

Ai Cheng-xiang, Li Guo-tian, Zhang Li-si, Liu Qing-zhong

Chinese chestnut, genetic diversity, SSR, Shandong province

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.844.35