Patterns of molecular genetic variation in Plantago major and P. intermedia in relation to ozone resistance

Abstract

Patterns of molecular genetic variation were examined in seed collections of Plantago major and Plantago intermedia, used previously to investigate the variations in ozone (O $ ) resistance of these species across Europe. Total genomic DNA was amplified with random primers (random amplied polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and intersingle sequence repeats (SSR)) to produce 73 genetic markers. In addition, allozyme and chloroplast variations were surveyed. Genetic markers were examined for association with O $ resistance in 18 British populations of P. major as well as 27 continental European populations of P. major and P. intermedia. Two populations that exhibited increased resistance to O $ following several years ' exposure to high O $ concentrations in the field showed decreased genetic variation over time. In addition, their genetic composition showed no drastic change, which suggests that the change in resistance to O $ was probably the result of selection on genotypes already present in local populations (selection in situ). It appears that selection for O $ resistance may occur in independent populations, and also may involve a number of genetically determined traits. Consequently the finding that plants with similar degrees of O $ resistance are not closely related was not unexpected. However, the finding of an association of several genetic markers with O $ resistance merits further investigation.

Evaluation of genetic relationships in Plantago species using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

“…Two sub-species of P. major were also differentiated using RAPD and ISSR markers (Wolff and Morgan-Richards 1998). Simultaneously, Wolff et al (2000) studied the patterns of molecular genetic variation in P. major and P. intermedia in relation to ozone resistance. A molecular relationship of the seven species showed that P. arenaria and P. psyllium formed a most closely related group followed by the second closely related group of P. serraria and P. coronopus.…”

Ozone effects on plants in natural ecosystems

“…Using random amplified polymorphic DNA primers, the latter populations were subsets of the earlier ones, supporting in situ evolution, rather than catastrophic loss and replacement of the populations (Wolff et al . ).…”

“…The research team concluded that the observed change in population O 3 tolerance was due to differential selection of genotypes already present, rather than through an influx of new English plantain germplasm (Wolff et al . ).…”

Characterization of Psyllium (Plantago ovata) Polysaccharide and Its Uses

“…Similarly, Vahabi et al used molecular and morphological markers for the evaluation of genetic diversity between P. ovate (Vahabi et al 2008). Wolff and Morgan-Richards used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for differentiating subspecies of Plantago major (Wolff et al 2000). Samantaray et al used RAPD markers to assess genetic relationships and variance in seven species of Plantago, i.e., P. ovata (Forsk.…”