Habitat and management affect genetic structure of Festuca pratensis but not Lolium multiflorum ecotype populations
2008
Peter-S.chmid, M.K.I. | Boller, B. | Kölliker, R.
Genetic diversity present in permanent grassland may be valuable for broadening gene pools in breeding programmes and for conservation of genetic resources. However, little is known about the amount of genetic diversity present at specific habitats and about site-related factors affecting it. To identify valuable habitats, genetic diversity of 12 ecotype populations and four reference cultivars of both Festuca pratensis Huds. and Lolium multiflorum Lam. was analysed using Simple sequence repeat markers (SSR). Analysis of molecular variance revealed a larger within population variation for L. multiflorum (97.1%) than for F. pratensis (92.6%). F. pratensis ecotype populations were clearly separated from cultivars and formed three distinct subclusters according to the geographic regions they were sampled from. Differences between L. multiflorum ecotype populations and cultivars were small and no grouping of populations was observed. Thus, only F. pratensis ecotype populations were structured and habitat as well as management had a slight influence on genetic structure. This information may allow the design of individual strategies for targeted utilization of genetic resources in plant breeding programmes.
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