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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #170373
Title: NUCLEAR GENOME DIVERSITY AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG NATURAL BUFFALOGRASS POPULATIONS DETERMINED BY SRAP

Author
item GULSEN, O - UNI OF NE
item SHEARMAN, R - UNI OF NE
item Vogel, Kenneth
item LEE, D - UNI OF NE
item BAENZIGER, P - UNI OF NE
item HENG-MOSS, T - UNI OF NE

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/18/2004
Publication Date: 7/15/2005
Citation: Gulsen, O., Shearman, R.C., Vogel, K.P., Lee, D.J., Baenziger, P.S., Heng-Moss, T. 2005. Nuclear genome diversity and relationships among natural buffalograss populations determined by srap. Hortscience. 40:537-541.

Interpretive Summary: Buffalograss is a native prairie grass that is being developed for use as a turfgrass species due to its low maintenance and water conservation characteristics. Plant breeders and seed producers need to be able to differentiate buffalograss germplasm and monitor cultivar genetic purity. A specific type of nuclear DNA molecular marker (SRAP) was used to determine genetic relationships among a set of buffalograss genotypes representing natural populations. Significant genetic diversity was found among the genotypes and specific genotypes could be clearly identified including some genotypes that were very similar. Results indicate that SRAP markers can be used by breeders for marker assisted breeding and to identify specific genotypes and cultivars. The ability to identify specific genotypes and cultivars with molecular markers will improve the certification process for buffalograss cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Buffalograss [Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] has the potential for increased use as a turfgrass species due to its low maintenance and water conservation characteristics. This study was conducted to determine relationships and diversity among native buffalograss populations based on the nuclear genome, using sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. The 56 genotypes studied represented five ploidy levels collected from diverse geographic locations in the North American Great Plains. In addition, blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. Ex Steud.] and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were included as outgroups in the study. Twenty-five combinations of forward and reverse primers were used. Ninety-five intensively amplified markers were scored and used to infer diversity and relationships among the genotypes. All buffalograss genotypes were discriminated from each other with similarity value ranging from 0.7 to 0.95. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that the 56 genotypes could be reduced to 50 due to overlap of genotypes. The distance between buffalograsses, blue grama and perennial ryegrass were consistent with current taxonomical distances. Buffalograss was closer to blue grama than to perennial ryegrass. This research indicates that the SRAP markers are useful for estimating genetic diversity and relationships among buffalograsses.