Genetic diversity among Korean bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) ecotypes characterized by morphological, cytological and molecular approaches.
The genus Cynodon comprises ten species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Korean bermudagrasses at the morphological, cytological and molecular levels. Morphological parameters, the nuclear DNA content and ploidy levels were observed in 43 bermudagrass ecotypes. AFLP markers were evaluated to define the genetic diversity, and chromosome counts were made to confirm the inferred cytotypes. Nuclear DNA contents were in the ranges 1.42-1.56, 1.94-2.19, 2.54, and 2.77-2.85 pg/2C for the triploid, tetraploid, pentaploid, and hexaploid accessions, respectively. The inferred cytotypes were triploid (2n = 3x = 27), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36), pentaploid (2n = 5x = 45), and hexaploid (2n = 6x = 54), but the majority of the collections were tetraploid (81%). Mitotic chromosome counts verified the corresponding ploidy levels. The fast growing fine-textured ecotypes had lower ploidy levels, while the pentaploids and hexaploids were coarse types. The genetic similarity ranged from 0.42 to 0.94 with an average of 0.64. UPGMA cluster analysis and principle coordinate analysis separated the ecotypes into 6 distinct groups. The genetic similarity suggests natural hybridization between the different cytotypes, which could be useful resources for future breeding and genetic studies.
Kang
Si-Yong
SY
Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup 580-185, Korea. gjlee@kaeri.re.kr
Lee
Geung-Joo
GJ
Lim
Ki Byung
KB
Lee
Hye Jung
HJ
Park
In Sook
IS
Chung
Sung Jin
SJ
Kim
Jin-Baek
JB
Kim
Dong Sub
DS
Rhee
Hye Kyung
HK
D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D031744:Cynodon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D007723:Korea; D008938:Mitosis; D010802:Phylogeny; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
D018744:DNA, Plant