Genetic diversity and population structure of Rhododendron simsii (Ericaceae) as revealed by microsatellite markers. (1st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shuzhen; Jin, Zhengqiang; Luo, Yanyan; Li, Zhiliang; Fang, Yuanping; Xiang, Jun; Jin, Weibin
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of botany. Volume 37:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-05-01
• Subjects: Dabie Mountains -- genetic differentiation -- genetic diversity -- microsatellite -- Rhododendron simsii; Botany -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/njb.02251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0107-055X

Abstract

Abstract : Rhododendron simsii Planch. (Ericaceae) is a valuable horticultural and medicinal plant species. In this study, the genetic diversity of eight wild R. simsii populations from the Dabie Mountains (central China) was investigated with 29 microsatellite markers. The results showed that R. simsii harbored a high level of genetic diversity ( H E : 0.64–0.79; H O : 0.71–0.94; I = 1.917; h = 0.826), and 84.34% of this genetic variation was maintained within populations, while variation among populations only accounted for 15.66%. The number of alleles ranged from 6 to 11, with an average of 9.069. Heterozygote excess was found, with the mean F IS and F IT values of −0.1739 and 0.0092, respectively. The average value of gene flow ( Nm ) was 1.3525. Within‐population, genetic diversity ( I ) ranged from 1.131 to 1.681. Cluster analyses divided the eight populations into two clades: the 'Ltjiuzihe' population formed its own cluster, while the other seven populations clustered together. There was a weak negative correlation between genetic and geographic distance. The results are highly relevant for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild R. simsii germplasm resources in central China.