Genetic Relationships Among Four Minorities in Guangxi Revealed by Analysis of 15 STRs

The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity in 15 STRs （short tandem repeats） loci of four minorities in Guangxi Province and to probe into the genetic variation and relationships among these ethnic groups. Allele frequencies of 15 STR loci were collected from 766 unrelated Mulao, Maonan, Miao, and Yao ethnic individuals by PCR-STR and sequencing, and their allele-frequency distribution were compared with each other. The genetic parameters and genetic distances were calculated, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed. Based on the results from this study, 135, 134, 148, and 145 alleles and 424, 432, 445, and 436 genotypes for 15 STR loci were observed in the Mulao, Maonan, Miao, and Yao minorities, respectively. The average heterozygosity of all ethnic groups analyzed was above 0.7; the cumulative power of discrimination （DP）, the probabilities of paternity exclusion （EPP）, and the polymorphic information content （PIC） were greater than 0.99999. Comparison of the allele-frequency distribution indicated that there were significant differences at most loci between Maonan vs. Miao, Yao vs. other groups, but no distinct differences between Mulao vs. Maonan, and Mulao vs. Miao minorities. The NJ tree based on the genetic distance showed that the four minorities were separated into two groups. Mulao and Maonan were clustered into one group, whereas Miao and Yao into the other. Our results revealed that 15 STR loci of the four minorities possessed high genetic diversities. Therefore, the combination of these 15 STRs is a powerful tool for forensic individual identification and paternity investigation, as well as anthropologic and genetic researches. The genetic variation and relationships among the 4 populations revealed by 15 STRs are basically consistent with their linguistic culture and ethical history.

Analysis of Genetic Relationships in Prunus domestica L. in Xinjiang Using ISSR Markers

[Objective] This paper aimed to explore the genetic relationships among different types of Prunus domestica L. in Xinjiang. [Method] The inter-simple se- quence repeat （ISSR） markers were applied to analyze the genetic diversity and relationships among 30 individual plants from 5 types of P. domestica germpiasm resources in Xinjiang. [Result] A total of 317 bands were amplified by 16 selected IS- SR primers. Among the amplified bands, there were 246 polymorphic bands, accounting for 77.60% of the total. The Nei＇s gene diversity index （H） of individuals was 0.266 6. The average Shannon＇s information index （I） of individuals was 0.399 1. And most of the genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.555 2 to 0.996 8. It is indicated that the P. domestica germplasm resources have a certain genetic diversity in Xinjiang. The cluster analysis showed that, at the genetic similarity coefficient of 0.719, the 30 individuals were divided into 3 major groups, including a group of introduced European plum varieties, a group of Tacheng Smoked Plum and Tacheng Binzi and a group of Jiashi Smoked Plum and Wild European Plum. While at the genetic similarity coefficient of 0.949, Jiashi Smoked Plum and Wild European Plum were divided into two small groups. [Conclusion] There are very close genetic relationships between Jiashi Smoked Plum and Wild European Plum, and among the introduced European plum varieties, Tacheng Smoked Plum and Tacheng Binzi.

Discriminating ability of molecular markers and morphological characterization in the establishment of genetic relationships in cultivated genotypes of almond and related wild species

A total 23 morphological traits, 19 AFLP-primer combinations, 80 RAPD primers and 32 SSR primer pair were used to compare the informativeness and efficiency of random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD）, amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） and simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers in establishing genetic relationships among 29 almond cultivars and three related wild species. SSRs presented a high level of polymorphism and greater information content, as assessed by the expected hetrozygosity, compared to AFLPs and RAPDs. The lowest values of expected hetrozygosity were obtained for AFLPs; however AFLPs showed the highest efficiency, owing to their capacity to reveal large numbers of bands per reaction, which led to high values for various types of indices of diversity. All the three techniques discriminated almond genotypes very effectively, except that SSRs failed to discriminate between ＇Monagha＇ and ＇Sefied＇ almond genotypes. The correlation coefficients of similarity were statistically significant for all the three marker systems, but were lower for the SSR data than for RAPDs and AFLPs. For all the markers, high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained, although some differences were observed. All the dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of all the marker data, reflect relationships for most of cultivars according to their geographic diffusion. AMOVA detected more variation among cultivated and related wild species of almond within each geographic group. Bootstrap analysis revealed that the number of markers used was sufficient for reliable estimation of genetic similarity and for meaningful comparisons of marker types.

Genetic Relationships Among Soluble Carbohydrates, Anthocyanins and Growth Characteristics in Leymus (Gramineae) Detected with Molecular Markers

Low-temperature soluble carbohydrate accumulations are commonly associated with anthocyanin coloration, attenuated growth and cold adaptation of cool-season grasses. The vrn-1 gene has potent effects on vernalization requirement, growth, and soluble carbohydrate accumulations of the winter-annual Triticeae species. Two hundred and four unmapped AFLP markers and genome-specific DNA markers genetically linked to the vrn-1 gene were used to detect QTL controlling soluble carbohydrate accumulations, anthocyanin coloration and growth characteristics in a segregating population derived from open pollinated Leymus cinereus x L. triticoides hybrids. These perennial Triticeae grasses are distinguished by adaptation and growth habit. As expected, positive trait correlations and pleiotropic gene effects were detected for soluble carbohydrate accumulations and anthocyanin coloration. Likewise, positive trait correlations and pleiotropic gene effects were detected for tillering, leaf development, leaf growth, regrowth and rhizome spread. However, soluble carbohydrate accumulations were not associated with attenuated growth. In fact, several DNA marker alleles, including one near vrn-Ns1, had positive effects on soluble leaf carbohydrate concentrations and low temperature growth. The corresponding DNA marker near vrn-Ns1 had more specific effects on tillering. We speculate that vrn-1 exerts quantitative effects on low-temperature soluble leaf carbohydrate accumulations and growth habit of the perennial Leymus. However, a number of other DNA markers displayed highly significant effects on soluble carbohydrate accumulations and various growth characteristics. Findings indicate that anthocyanin coloration may be a useful phenotypic marker for soluble carbohydrate accumulation. Although variation for soluble carbohydrates was not associated with attenuated growth in this population, this trait was under genetic control.

Discriminating ability of molecular markers and morphological characterization in the establishment of genetic relationships in cultivated genotypes of almond and related wild species

A total 23 morphological traits, 19 AFLP-primer combinations, 80 RAPD primers and 32 SSR primer pair were used to compare the informativeness and efficiency of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in establishing genetic relationships among 29 almond cultivars and three related wild species. SSRs presented a high level of polymorphism and greater information content, as assessed by the expected hetrozygosity, compared to AFLPs and RAPDs. The lowest values of expected hetrozygosity were obtained for AFLPs; however AFLPs showed the highest efficiency, owing to their capacity to reveal large numbers of bands per reaction, which led to high values for various types of indices of diversity. All the three techniques discriminated almond genotypes very effectively, except that SSRs failed to discriminate between ‘Monagha’ and ‘Sefied’ almond genotypes. The correlation coefficients of similarity were statistically significant for all the three marker systems, but were lower for the SSR data than for RAPDs and AFLPs. For all the markers, high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained, although some differences were observed. All the dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of all the marker data, reflect relationships for most of cultivars according to their geographic diffusion. AMOVA detected more variation among cultivated and related wild species of almond within each geographic group. Bootstrap analysis revealed that the number of markers used was sufficient for reliable estimation of genetic similarity and for meaningful comparisons of marker types.

Analysis of the Genetic Relationships in Chinese Ziziphus with SRAP Markers

The phylogenic and genetic relationships in germplasm resources of Chinese Ziziphus were studied at molecular levels, for providing new molecular evidences of classification, protection, and utilization of germplasm resources of Ziziphus. The sequence-related amplified polymorphism （SRAP） was assessed to analyse the genetic relationships among 14 species of Ziziphus, 11 cultivars of Z. jujuba Mill., and one outgroup. A total of 580 DNA bands were amplified by 19 selective primers, 570 of which （98.28%） were polymorphic. The average number of polymorphic DNA bands amplified by each primer was 30. The genetic similarities of 26 sample materials were between 0.22 and 0.99. UPGMA method cluster analysis showed that 26 sample materials were classified into six cluster groups with the genetic similarity of 0.28. The results showed that SRAP technique is efficient in studying genetic relationships among Ziziphus, Z. jujuba Mill. and Z. acidojujuba C. Y. Cheng et M. J. Liu which should be treated as one species, and further infraspecific classification of Z. jujuba Mill. should be classified into two subspecies; the scientific names of new taxa, Chinese jujube, and wild jujube were Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp, jujuba and Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp, spinosa （Bunge） J. Y. Peng, X. Y. Li et L. Li, respectively. Z. xiangchengensis Y. L.Chen et P. K. Chou, Z. montana W.W. Smith and Z. mairei Dode might be originated from same ancestry. Z xiangchengensis Y. L. Chen et P. K. Chou and Z. montana W.W. Smith should be treated as one species. The infrasubspecific taxon of Z. jujuba Mill. was not suitable to set up varieties.

Analysis of genetic relationships between grain milling quality traits and plant agronomic traits of rice

Since seed and maternal plant are in different generations,the grain milling traits and plant agronomic traits of rice are based on differentgenetic models.Using the genetic modelswhich could estimate covariance componentsbetween two traits with unequal design matri-ces,we analyzed the gentic relationships be-

Analysis of the Germplasm Resources and Genetic Relationships Among Hybrid Cymbidium Cultivars and Native Species with RAPD Markers

The random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） marker was assessed to detect the genetic relationships among 48 hybrid Cymbidium cultivars from Japan, Korea, China, and USA, and 2 species of native Cymbidium. Twenty primers were screened from 100 random decamer primers, and a total of 258 DNA bands were amplified, 253 of which （98.1%） were polymorphic. The average number of polymorphic DNA bands amplified by each primer was 12.6. All cultivars were distinguishable when a number of primers were considered. Genetic similarities among the cultivars and species were estimated based on the amount of band sharing ranging from 0.364-0.817 with an average of 0.581. According to the data, a dendrogram of genetic relationship, which was constructed using the UPGMA method, showed that all the tested cultivars and native species were classified into five cluster groups with the similarity coefficient of 0.592. It revealed that the genetic relationships among tested accessions were to some extent related with their origin, flower colour, branch type, and genealogy. It further indicated that the RAPD technique is a useful tool for studying the genetic relationships among hybrid Cymbidium cultivars.

Analysis of genetic diversity and structure across a wide range of germplasm reveals genetic relationships among seventeen species of Malus Mill,native to China

China is a center of diversity for Malus Mill,with 27 native species including 21 wild species and six domesticated species.We applied a set of 19 simple sequence repeat markers to genotype 798 accessions of 17 species(12 wild species and five cultivated species)of Malus originating from 14 provinces in China.A total of 500 alleles were detected.Diversity statistics indicated a high level of genetic variation as quantified by the average values of the effective allele number(N_(e)).expected heterozygosity(H_(e)),and Shannon's Information Index(I)(10.309,0.886,and 2.545,respectively).Malus sieversii(MSR;H_(e)=0.814,I=2.041,N_(e)=6.054),M.baccata(MBB;H_(e)=0.848,/=2.350,N_(e)=8.652),M.toringoides(MTH;He=0.663,I=1.355,N_(e)=3.332),and M.hupehensis(MHR;H_(e)=0.539,I=0.912,N_(e)=0.579)showed a higher level of genetic diversity in this study than the previous studies.MSR and MBB contributed to the origin and evolution of some accessions of M.domestica subsp.chinensis(MDC).However,other accessions of MDC showed a closer genetic distance with MBB and cultivated species,especially M.robusta(MRB),M.asiatica(MAN),and M.prunifolia(MPB).Not all accessions of MDC were descended from MSR in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.This research provides novel insights into the genetic relationships of Malus native to China,which will be useful for genetic association studies,germplasm conservation,and breeding programs.

Genetic Relationships among Prunus mume var. pendula Using AFLP Markers

Genetic relationships among Prunus mume var. pendula were studied by using AFLP markers. 18 accessions representing 14 cultivars of Prunus mume var. pendula were selected from the germplasm collection at the Research Center of China Mei Flower. Seven Mse I-EcoR I AFLP primer combinations revealed 450 legible bands, and 269 of which were polymorphic markers. A similarity matrix was prepared using the simple matching coefficient of similarity and Neis (72) distance coefficient. A UPGMA dendrogram demonstrated the genetic relationships of the cultivars. The information given by AFLP markers was basically consistent with the morphological classification and the evolutionary history of the morphotypes, and roughly supported the new revised classification system for Chinese Mei Cultivars. But there were still several exceptions: 1) the Guhong Chuizhi inserted between the Tiaoxue Chuizhi and the Danfen Chuizhi; 2) the Wufu Chuizhi kept off the Pink Pendant Form, and the Moshan Chuizhi was removed from Viridiflora Pendant Form; 3) the Danbi Chuizhi and the Shuangbi Chuizhi of Viridiflora Pendant Form got together well but fell within the Pink Pendant Form.

Determination of the Number of SSR Alleles Necessary for the Analysis of Genetic Relationships Between Maize Inbred Lines

The amount of molecular marker information has considerable impact on the results of studies of crop germplasm genetic relationships in crop. The number of alleles required to reveal genetic relationship in maize inbred lines is a theoretical issue that needs to be addressed. In this study, 112 pairs of SSR （simple sequence repeat） primers and 97 maize inbred lines were selected to study the relationship between the number of inbred lines and the number of SSR primers and alleles required for a stable cluster. The results showed that the number of SSR primers is not tightly associated with the stability of the cluster analysis results, while an increase in the number of alleles can significantly improve the stability of cluster analysis results. The number of inbred lines （X） is significantly associated with the number of alleles required for stable cluster analysis （Y）, and the regression equation is Y- 600.8xe（-15.9/x）. This equation can be used to calculate the number of SSR alleles required for a genetic relationship study of maize inbred lines. These results provide a reference for determining of SSR alleles number in genetic relationship analysis of maize inbred line and other crop germplasm.

Studies on genetic relationships among Oakleaf loquat, Daduhe loquat and common loquat by RAPD and ISSR

The genetic relationships among oakleaf loquat （Eriobotrya prinoides）, Daduhe loquat （Eriobotrya prinoides var. dadunensis） and common loquat （Eriobotrya japonica） were studied by RAPD and ISSR markers. The results showed that the similarity coefficient between oakleaf loquat and common loquat was minimal （0.6996 and 0.7219, respectively） and the similarity coefficient between oakleaf loquat and Daduhe loquat was maximal （0.8403 and 0.8211, respectively）, while the similarity coefficient between Daduhe loquat and common loquat was always intermediate （0.7195 and 0.7219, respectively）. The highest additivity was obtained when Daduhe loquat was regarded as the undetermined hybrid （44.9% and 45.8%, respectively）. The specific bands of oakleaf loquat and common loquat were present in Daduhe loquat. Thus, it could be concluded that Daduhe loquat was a hybrid of oakleaf loquat and common loquat.

Analysis on Genetic Diversity of 40 Flowering Cherry Cultivars and Construction of Molecular ID Based on SSR Markers

Studying on the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of flowering cherry cultivars is extremely important for germplasm conservation, cultivar identification and breeding. Flowering cherry is widely cultivated as an important woody ornamental plant in worldwide, especially Japan, China. However, owning to the morphological similarity, many cultivars are distinguished hardly in non-flowering season. Here, we evaluated the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of 40 flowering cherry cultivars, which are mainly cultivated in China. We selected 13 polymorphicprimers to amplify to allele fragments with fluorescent-labeled capillary electrophoresis technology. The population structure analysis results show that these cultivars could be divided into 4 subpopulations. At the population level, Na and Ne were 6.062, 4.326, respectively. Ho and He were 0.458 and 0.670, respectively. The Shannon’s information index (I) was 1.417. The Pop3, which originated from P. serrulata, had the highest Ho, He, and I among the 4 subpopulations. AMOVA showed that only 4% of genetic variation came from populations, the 39% variation came from individuals and 57% (p < 0.05) came from intra-individuals. 5 polymorphic SSR primers were selected to construct molecular ID code system of these cultivars. This analysis on the genetic diversity and relationship of the 40 flowering cherry cultivars will help to insight into the genetic background, relationship of these flowering cherry cultivars and promote to identify similar cultivars.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Relationships of Seven Chinese Indigenous Pig Breeds and Three Exotic Pig Breeds Using the DNA Differential Display Technique

The genetic diversity and relationships of seven Chinese indigenous pig breeds （Meishan, Erhualian, Hezuo, Bamei, Qingping, Tongcheng, and Huainan） and three exotic pig breeds （Large White, Landrace, and Duroc） were analyzed using the DNA differential display technique by means of eight primer combinations. A total of 123 reproducible bands were used to calculate mean Nei＇s gene diversity, and mean Shannon＇s information index for each pig population. Based on these the Nei＇s standard genetic identity and distance were estimated, which was used to construct a dendrogram tree for the 10 pig breeds. The experimental results obtained and the method used in this study for evaluating the genetic diversity and relationships of pigs were also discussed.

ISSR Analysis of Genetic Relationship of Germplasm Resource in Prunus mume Sibe. et Zucc

Using ISSR technique to analyze the diversity and genetic relationship of germplasm resources in 39 Prunus mume Sibe. et Zucc., the result showed that 10 primers were screened with high resolution from 51 primers, 120 fragments were amplified, of which 98 were polymorphic loci, accounting for 81.67% of total. Tested materials were divided into 3 classes, as was fundamentally accorded with the traditional classification base on horticulture. There was no obvious difference in geographic relationship among the clustering results.

Genetic relationship of interspecies for eight birch species

Genetic relationships of eight species of genus Betula were evaluated using ISSR marks. A total of 236 loci were generated from 17 ISSR primers. Percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) varied from 5.93 to 19.92. The highest and the lowest level of genetic differentiation were detected in B. ovalifolia and B. maximowicziana Regel respectively. In these eight species, genetic diversity of birch (HT) was 24.38 %, and the genetic variation (GST ) interspecies was accounting for 79.36% of total genetic variation. According to the cluster results of genetic distance, the eight species were classified into three groups as B. davurica, B. ovalifolia, B. platyphylla and B. pendula for one group; B. schmidtii, B. costata and B. ermanii Cham. var. communis for one group, and B. maximowicziana Regel for another group. The result of cluster is consistent with traditional morphological classification.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Three Guizhou Local Pig Breeds Using Microsatellite DNA Markers

[Objective] The research aimed to provide the genetic basis for the protection, development and utilization of Guizhou local pig breeds. [Method] From 27 pairs of porcine microsatellite primers recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations （FAO） and international Society for Animal Genetics （ISAG）, six pairs （S0155, SW240, IGF1, SW951, SW857, SW24） were selected for microsatellite DNA detection of three Guizhou local pig breeds, including Nuogu Pig, Kele Pig and Guanling Pig. Subsequently, their genetic diversities were analyzed. [ Result] The three pig breeds were high polymorphic at the six microsatellite loci （PIC 〉0.5）. The Nei＇s standard genetic distance of them was 0.206 3 -0.481 5. The genetic distance between Nuogu Pig and Kele Pig Was the closest, and that between Nuogu Pig and Guanling Pig was the furthest. [ Conclusion] The three Guizhou local pig breeds are in high genetic diversities. Nuogu Pig is a special type of Kele Pig, an excellent Chinese local pig breed.

Genetic Diversity of Hordeum bogdanii Wilensky Native to Xinjiang, China, Based on STS-PCR Markers

The genetic diversity among 32 accessions of Hordeum bogdanii Wilensky native to Xinjiang, China, was evaluated by 22 STS_PCR primer sets derived from RFLP clones of the wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) or barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) mapping. Out of the 22 STS_PCR markers, only three markers gave products which did not generate polymorphic bands upon digestion with Hin fⅠ, Hha Ⅰ, Hae Ⅲ and Rsa Ⅰ, while 19 out of 22 markers (86.4%) and 46 out of 88 marker/enzyme combinations (52.3%) revealed polymorphisms. Among the 32 H. bogdanii accessions, a total of 315 bands were observed in 88 STS_PCR marker/enzyme combinations, with 3.6 bands each. One hundred and twenty_three out of 315 bands (39.0%) were polymorphic, among which 1 to 6 polymorphic bands were generated by each polymorphic marker/enzyme combination. The STS_PCR_based genetic diversity index ( GD ) among 32 H. bogdanii accessions ranged between 0.078 to 0.352, with a mean of 0.198. Based on the GD matrix, a dendrogram showing the genetic relationships between accessions was constructed using the unweighted pair_group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA). Results showed that all 32 accessions could be distinguished by STS_PCR markers. The accessions originated from the same region were distributed within different groups or subgroups. This study indicates that the genetic diversity of H. bogdanii is not closely correlated with the geographical distribution.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Dendrobium by RSAP Marker

[Objective] This study aimed to analyse the genetic diversity of and genet- ic relationship between 33 Dendrobium species by using RSAP （Restriction Site Amplification Polymorphism） marker technique. [Method] A PCR-reaction system was established, by which 33 pairs of primers screened from 45 pairs were used to con- duct the PCR amplification. [Results] The 33 pairs of primers produced 2 047 ampli- fied fragments, of which 2 044 were polymorphic, with a polymorphism rate of 99.8%, and each pair of primers produced 61.9 polymorphic fragments on average. The genetic similarity coefficients between species ranged from 0.081 to 0.442, sug- gesting that the experimental materials used in this study possess a wide genetic background. According to the result of RSAP, the 33 Dendrobium species were di- vided into 6 groups by the cluster analysis （UPGMA）. The result showed that the genetic relationship between D. acinaciforme and D. guangxiense was the closest, and that between D. sinense and either D. lituiflorum or D. hancockii was the fur- thest. [Conclusion] The result suggested that Dendrobium germplasms have a great genetic diversity. This study provides a molecular basis for the classification and breeding of Dendrobium plants, as well as the selection of hybridization parents in the future.

SRAP Analysis on Genetic Relationship of Carthamus tinctorius L Varieties in Xinjiang

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the genetic relationship of the Carthamus tinctorius L（safflower） varieties in Xinjiang, and thus to provide a scientific basis for its protection and development. [Method] The genomic DNA of five safflower varieties from Xinjiang and one from Yunnan were analyzed and compared by SRAP molecular marker. [Result] Twelve pairs of SRAP primers were selected to amplify the genomic DNA of the six materials. Among the 171 clear DNA bands finally obtained, 93 were polymorphic, accounting for 54.4% of total. Genetic similarity coefficient of the six safflower varieties ranged from 0.60 to 0.92. [Conclusion]SRAP molecular marker is suitable for safflower varieties research and to guide the molecular breeding.