Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Endangered Astragalus exscapus subsp. transsilvanicus through DNA-Based Molecular Markers

Astragalus exscapus L. subsp. transsilvanicus (Schur) Nyár. (Fabaceae) is a rare plant endemic to the Transylvanian Plateau, represented by 24 identified populations. Limited information on the genetic variation and population structure is available, which obstructs efficient measures for conservation strategy. The present study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of eight populations of A. exscapus subsp. transsilvanicus revealed by sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. A total of 164 bands were amplified, 96.7% of which (159) were polymorphic. Nei’s gene diversity index (He) was estimated to be 0.228 at the population level and 0.272 at the subspecies level. The genetic differentiation among populations (Gst) was 0.165, which indicated a low proportion of total genetic diversity. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that 17% of the total variation of A. exscapus subsp. transsilvanicus is found among the populations, while 83% was found within the populations. A UPGMA dendrogram, principal coordinate analysis, and the STRUCTURE software grouped the populations into two clusters uncorrelated with the provenience of the 125 individuals, which might be attributed to fragmentation processes, insect pollination, population size, and specific environmental conditions of the habitats.

Molecular characterization of Iranian dromedaries using microsatellite markers

Considering the importance of maintaining the genetic diversity in native animals, this study conducted to analyse genetic diversity in dromedary populations in the north of Kerman province, Iran, using eight autosomal microsatellite markers. Eighty-one blood samples were collected from five different populations and DNA was extracted. The highest and the lowest allele number and effective alleles were shown in YWLL08 (21 and 4) and VOLP32 (14.97 and 3.11), respectively. The expected heterozygosity varied from 0.778 in Sahra-e Jahad population to 0.847 in Nogh population. The test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium showed significant deviations in most loci. The mean multilocus FST value (0.057) suggested that differentiation is moderate between populations. From total genetic diversity, only 6% were due to differentiation among populations, while the remaining 94% corresponded to differences among individuals within each population. The results of the current study indicated that the Camelus dromedarius populations in the north of Kerman province have a relativity high genetic variation and the data could be useful for designing the breeding strategies and conservation. The degree of variability demonstrated implies that studied populations are rich reservoirs of genetic diversity that must be preserved. A future direction to our study can be studying all of the Iranian Camelus dromedarius populations to better evaluate the level of inbreeding and establish the appropriate conservation strategies aimed to avoid losses of genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity of Pericopsis mooniana from South Kalimantan based on Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPD) Markers

The genetic diversity and relationship of Pericopsis mooniana collected from Pulau Laut, South Kalimantan, was analyzed using RAPD markers. Currently, the natural distribution of P. mooniana in Pulau Laut no longer exists. Instead, PT Inhutani II, as the concession holder in the area, had collected the remaining P.mooniana and planted it in the seed orchard, arboretum, or around PT Inhutani’s mess/office. Forty-two samples from four locations: mess/residential house (3), seed orchard (33), arboretum (3), and PT Inhutani II Unit Stagen (3) were analyzed using seven RAPD primers. Our study showed that the total genetic diversity of all populations was low (He = 0.191 ± 0.013). P. mooniana collected from seed orchards had the highest diversity (He = 0.289 ± 0.021), while the lowest was from mess/residential houses (He = 0.134 ± 0.025). The genetic relationship data indicated the possibility that P. mooniana from mess/residential house, arboretum, and seed orchard may come from the same origin. These results can be used to support the development of ex-situ conservation plots to avoid inbreeding depression. At the same time, the genetic diversity will be helpful in its conservation and further utilization, such as establishing the plantations to reduce the pressure of the species in nature and provide valuable timber production in Indonesia.

Genetic diversity analysis of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Landrace from Ethiopia as reveled by ISSR marker

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is one of the five most important legume crops from the genus Phaseolus though it is one of the neglected crops in Ethiopia. There is no national breeding program for its improvement. As it is true for all crops, understanding the genetic diversity of Lima bean is useful for its improvement and sustainable use. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate genetic diversity of Lima bean landrace collected in Ethiopia using eight issr markers. A total of 96 landrace were collected from five administrative zones of Ethiopia from which 106 clear bands were detected. About 95 (88.7%) of the bands were polymorphic. The genetic diversity analyses result revealed that landrace collected from West Wellega showed the highest (0.1864) genetic diversity. amova demonstrated highly significant (P=0.00) genetic diversity among and within populations. A considerable proportion (66%) of the total genetic diversity was distributed among populations and 34% within populations. In addition, the calculated Fst value was high (Fst = 0.66), associated with a low gene flow value (Nm=0.27) indicating lower differentiation of the populations, which, in turn, implied no significant exchange of planting materials among farmers in the studied populations and the nature of the crops that Lima bean is 52% self pollinated crop. upgma, structure and PCoA analysis showed very strong grouping among individuals collected from the same zones and geographically distinct zones. Overall, genetic diversity achieved from this study could be used as pioneer information about the existing genetic resource for future Lima bean conservation and improvement strategy in Ethiopia.

Genetic Diversity Studies in MAGIC Population of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) Based on Mahalanobis D2 Distance

Soybean MAGIC lines are highly variable breeding material which utilizes both recent and historic genetic recombination events. Present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic diversity present among 95 soybean MAGIC lines along with six checks for 10 different quantitative traits. All the genotypes were grouped into 16 clusters by performing Tocher’s clustering method using Mahalanobis D2 distance. Cluster I was the largest comprising of 30 genotypes followed by cluster II (23 genotypes), cluster X (15 genotypes) and cluster IX (9 genotypes). The maximum genetic distance (D2) was observed between cluster XI and XV (168.37) followed by cluster III and XV (164.3), cluster X and XV (149.64) as well as between cluster XII and cluster XVI (145.99). The cluster mean for most of the traits were high in cluster I and cluster XVI. Oil content contributed maximum (23.86%) towards total genetic diversity followed by number of pods plant-1 (18.97%), seed yield plant-1 (18.63%), 100 seed weight (11.05%) and number of branches plant-1 (10.16%) traits. The soybean MAGIC lines belong to the cluster XI (6-120) and cluster XV (6-30, 6-31, 6-5) were found to be the most divergent hence can be utilised in the recombination breeding programs to exploit maximum heterosis.

Pola Segregasi Sifat Ketahanan Terhadap Soybean Stunt Virus dan Keragaman Genetik FAMILI F2:3 HASIL PERSILANGAN VARIETAS ORBA DAN GALUR B3570

Segregation pattern of the Soybean Stunt Virus resistant character and genetic diversity of F2:3 families derived from crosses between Orba and B3570. Soybean stunt disease caused by SSV (Soybean Stunt Virus) is the most destructive soybean disease in Indonesia. This research was conducted from October 2005 to June 2006 at experiment station of Lampung University. The aims of this research were to evaluate the segregation of resistant characters and total genetic diversity of eight populations of F2:3 families. Experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The resistance was evaluated based on the score of disease severity. The results showed that the resistant characters segregate 1:2:1 to susceptible, moderately resistant, and resistant, respectively based on the segregation pattern. The resistant character was controlled by single gene and the action of the gene is noncompletely dominant gene. Eight populations of F2:3 families have high diversities on the yield and yield components.

Genetic polymorphism in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) populations from Ural and Altai-Sayan mountains

The article presents the results of analysis of the variability of 23 allozyme loci in 10 populations of Siberian Stone pine. Populations from South Siberia mountain regions had higher percentage of polymorphic loci in averageand mean number of alleles per loci (P99% = 44,57 %, NA = 1,543 ± 0,014) compared to Ural populations (P99%=29,57%,NA = 1,348 ± 0,015). The average values of the observed and expected heterozygosity in the populations of the Altai-Sayan (HO = 0,087 ±0,007 and HE = 0,090 ± 0,004) and the Ural mountain region (HO = 0,083 ± 0,008 и HE = 0,082 ± 0,005)were close. About 8.4% of the total genetic diversity is due to differences between the studied populations. The results ofmultidimensional data analysis confirm the existence of the Altai-Sayan and Ural refugia in the post-glacial period andthe dispersal of Siberian stone pine to the North from the Ural glacier refugium.

Mitochondrial D-loop Genetic Diversity Studies of Rhinoceros unicornis in Assam, India

In Assam wild populations of great Indian rhinoceros are found in three protected areas namely Kaziranga National Park, Orange National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. But it remains an area of investigation whether these three populations are homogeneous or not. To resolve this matter present genetic study was performed on mitochondrial DNA control region by using non invasive dung samples collected from the three natural habitats. The study showed a high level of genetic diversity of rhinoceros population in three habitats of Assam with 24 haplotypes from 196 samples and 21 variable sites in 413bp long nucleotide sequences was recorded. The Fst value also showed differences between the groups; and significant values obtained between Kaziranga and Pobitora with Orang groups. AMOVA analyses revealed the total genetic diversity is 91.62% and diversity between populations is only 8.38%. Thus the higher genetic variability found in Indian rhinoceros populations is important for future survivability, management and translocation to new habitat.

Study of genetic diversity in Tunisian local cattle populations using ISSR markers

The inter-simple DNA sequence repeat (ISSR) method was used to study genetic diversity in three local cattle from the north, northeast and north west of Tunisia. Twenty samples were analysed using three ISSR primers. In total, 22 bands were amplified of which 15 are polymorphic (68.18%). The total genetic diversity (Ht), genetic diversity within populations (Hs), coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) and gene flow (Nm) were 0.2706, 0.01314, 0.8841 and 0.0656. To better visualize the structure of the population, a UPGMA dendrogram constructed from the genetic distances of NEI shows that the populations of North (Bizerte) and Northeast (Nabeul) are genetically closest while that of Northwest (Jendouba and Siliana) is the furthest from the two others.

Impact of merging commercial breeding lines on the genetic diversity of Landrace pigs

Background The pig breeding industry has undergone a large number of mergers in the past decades. Various commercial lines were merged or discontinued, which is expected to reduce the genetic diversity of the pig species. The objective of the current study was to investigate the genetic diversity of different former Dutch Landrace breeding lines and quantify their relationship with the current Dutch Landrace breed that originated from these lines. Results Principal component analysis clearly divided the former Landrace lines into two main clusters, which are represented by Norwegian/Finnish Landrace lines and Dutch Landrace lines. Structure analysis revealed that each of the lines that are present in the Dutch Gene bank has a unique genetic identity. The current Dutch Landrace breed shows a high level of admixture and is closely related to the six former lines. The Dumeco N-line, which is conserved in the Dutch Gene bank, is poorly represented in the current Dutch Landrace. All seven lines (the six former and the current line) contribute almost equally to the genetic diversity of the Dutch Landrace breed. As expected, the current Dutch Landrace breed comprises only a small proportion of unique genetic diversity that was not present in the other lines. The genetic diversity level, as measured by Eding’s core set method, was equal to 0.89 for the current Dutch Landrace breed, whereas total genetic diversity across the seven lines, measured by the same method, was equal to 0.99. Conclusions The current Dutch Landrace breed shows a high level of admixture and is closely related to the six former Dutch Landrace lines. Merging of commercial Landrace lines has reduced the genetic diversity of the Landrace population in the Netherlands, although a large proportion of the original variation is maintained. Thus, our recommendation is to conserve breeding lines in a gene bank before they are merged.