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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184522
Title: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND GENE FLOW AMONG SEASHORE PASPALUM POPULATION REVEALED BY AFLP AND SSRS

Author
item CHEN, ZHENBANG - UNIV. OF GA
item Harrison, Melanie
item KIM, W. - UNIV. OF GA
item Wang, Ming
item RAYMER, PAUL - UNIV. OF GA

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2004
Publication Date: 11/4/2004
Citation: Chen, Z., Newman, M.L. aka Harrison Dunn, M.L., Kim, W., Wang, M.L., Raymer, P. 2004. Genetic diversity and gene flow among seashore paspalum population revealed by aflp and ssrs. CSSA 49th Annual Meeting, Oct 31-Nov 4, 2004, Seattle, WA. p.323.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Seashore paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum, can grow under such extreme environmental conditions such as high salinity, water logging, water deficiency or drought, a wide range of soil water pH, and low light intensity. It has now been widely employed as a turfgrass for golf courses, sport fields and general landscaping along the salt-affected coastal region. 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, USA. The genetic diversity of the germplasm collection was accessed using amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP). A total of 381 AFLPs 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 types. The highest level of genetic similarity occurred among the accessions from Hawaii. Analysis of genetic diversity within and between regions supported the introduction path of Africa to South America and North America, then from North America to 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. Examination of the genetic background of ecotypes from other regions, such as from Asia, Europe, and other parts of Africa is needed to further explore genetic diversity and to determine the center of origin of seashore paspalum.