Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) in China

Abstract

The genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 252 accessions from 21 Prunus sibirica L. populations were investigated using 10 ISSR, SSR, and SRAP markers. The results suggest that the entire population has a relatively high level of genetic diversity, with populations HR and MY showing very high diversity. A low level of inter-population genetic differentiation and a high level of intra-population genetic differentiation was found, which is supported by a moderate level of gene flow, and largely attributable to the cross-pollination and self-incompatibility reproductive system. A STRUCTURE (model-based program) analysis revealed that the 21 populations can be divided into two main groups, mainly based on geographic differences and genetic exchanges. The entire wild Siberia apricot population in China could be divided into two subgroups, including 107 accessions in subgroup (SG) 1 and 147 accessions in SG 2. A Mantel test revealed a significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance matrices, and there was a very significant positive correlation among three marker datasets. Overall, we recommend a combination of conservation measures, with ex situ and in situ conservation that includes the construction of a core germplasm repository and the implement of in situ conservation for populations HR, MY, and ZY.

High-Level Genetic Diversity and Complex Population Structure of Siberian Apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) in China as Revealed by Nuclear SSR Markers

“…In our study, a relatively high level of genetic diversity was detected at microsatellite loci in Siberian apricot; the mean Ho and He values were 0.639 and 0.774, respectively. Similar values were reported for populations of Siberian apricot in the Yan Mountains (Ho = 0.668, He = 0.788) [15]. Fewer polymorphisms have been reported for apricot ( Prunus armenica L.; Ho = 0.615, He = 0.621) [41].…”

“…Outcrossing woody plants tend to be more genetically diverse and have less genetic differentiation among populations [32]. The percentage of genetic variation within populations of Siberian apricot in the Yan Mountains was shown to be up to 96% [15]. The negative percentage of variation detected among wild and semi-wild groups suggests that there is no significant difference between them.…”

“…Among these markers, SSRs have been the first choice for the study of genetic diversity and population structure owing to their desirable genetic attributes, including high numbers of polymorphisms, wide genomic distribution, co-dominant inheritance, and high degree of reproducibility [11], [12]. Nuclear SSR makers have also proven to be very useful for the evaluation of genetic diversity in apricot [13], [14]: they have been employed to investigate the genetic diversity of Siberian apricot in the Yan Mountains of China [15]. However, a comprehensive analysis of Siberian apricot genetic diversity and its population structure in China at the DNA level is lacking.…”

Diversity analysis based on agro-morphological traits and microsatellite based markers in global germplasm collections of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

“…Likewise in a similar type of study Kumar et al (2014) reported RAPD makers more informative than ISSRs in Justicia adhatoda. Furthermore, significant correlation between similarity matrices generated by ISSR and SSR (r = 0.500, t = 10.774, p = 1.00) markers are in confirmation with earlier reports of association between ISSR and SSR markers by Budak et al (2004) and Li et al (2014) in buffalo grass and Siberian apricot, respectively. The ISSR and SSR markers used in present study would be very useful for germplasm characterization of roselle.…”

Evaluation of Turkish apricot germplasm using SSR markers: Genetic diversity assessment and search for Plum pox virus resistance alleles

“…Siberian apricots in China were divided into two subpopulations (Li et al, 2014) and into four subpopulations in another study (Wang et al, 2014), and molecular findings have shown that no significant difference is detected between the wild and semiwild groups, indicating that recent cultivation practices have had little impact on the genetic diversity of Siberian apricots (Wang et al, 2014). The common apricots of Mediterranean countries were studied by Bourguiba et al (2012), and 207 accessions were subdivided into three main gene pools when K = 3: Irano-Caucasian, North Mediterranean Basin and South Mediterranean Basin.…”