ARS | Publication request: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE USDA SEASHORE PASPALUM GERMPLASM COLLECTION

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2004
Publication Date: November 1, 2004
Citation: Chen, Z., Kim, W., Newman, M.L. aka Harrison Dunn, M.L., Wang, M.L., Raymer, P. 2004. Molecular characterization of genetic diversity in the usda seashore paspalum germplasm collection. In: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts, Madison, WI. CDROM

Technical Abstract: Seashore paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz, evolved in the coastal ecosystems of tropical and subtropical regions where frequent inundations with seawater and extremely sandy soils are common. As a result, seashore paspalum has developed tolerances to extreme environmental conditions such as high salinity, water logging, water deficiency or drought, a wide range of soil water pH, and low light intensity. Thus, seashore paspalum is now being widely used as a salt-tolerant turf grass on golf courses, sports fields, and for general landscaping. A collection of seashore paspalum ecotypes was assembled in the 1990's at the Plant Germplasm Resources Conservation Unit (PGRCU) of the USDA/ARS, in Griffin, GA, USA, and genetic diversity of 69 accessions was assessed using amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP). A total of 381 AFLP loci were generated with three primer combinations in seashore paspalum and other paspalum species. All seashore paspalum accessions were clustered into one of three major groups, which was consistent with classification based on leaf type. The highest level of genetic similarity occurred among accessions from Hawaii. A reduction in the level of genetic diversity occurred successively during the introduction of seashore paspalum from Africa to South and North America and then to Hawaii and supported the proposed introduction path from Africa to the other regions. Examination of the genetic background of ecotypes from other regions, such as Asia, Europe, and other parts of Africa is needed to further explore genetic diversity and to determine the center of origin of seashore paspalum.