AFLP-based genetic diversity analysis distinguishes apomictically and sexually reproducing Cenchrus species

Abstract

Analysis of genetic diversity is important for plant breeders to breed new and improved cultivars with desirable characteristics. Since DNA-based molecular markers are not affected by environmental factors, they can be utilized to assess genetic diversity among species and to develop molecular markers for breeding programmes. Out of the 25 Cenchrus species, only eight are available in the Indian germplasm collections, and only four of them are grown in sown pastures for their high forage value, while the remaining four species are used for basic and applied studies. This study aimed at assessing genetic diversity and relatedness of the apomictic and sexual Cenchrus species available in the Indian germplasm collection using AFLP-based molecular markers. Based on the genetic dissimilarity matrix phylogenetic analysis, 36 accessions of eight Cenchrus species were observed to be clustered in four groups. All apomictic C. ciliaris L. accessions clustered within a group, while the other three apomictic Cenchrus spp. grouped separately. Similarly, the rare accessions of sexual C. ciliaris grouped separately from the sexually reproducing Cenchrus spp. However, Bayesian cluster analysis grouped the 36 accessions in three clusters only. Clustering of the accessions of phylogenetic Groups 1 and 2 was similar in Bayesian cluster analysis, while the accessions of Groups 3 and 4 clustered together. Some of the AFLP markers were observed to delineate the apomictic and sexual species/ accessions of Cenchrus. The gathered information has the potential to be used for genetic improvement of Cenchrus species through cross-hybridization to exploit hybrid vigour as well as for introgression of desirable traits.

Impact of roadside burning on genetic diversity in a high‐biomass invasive grass

“…However, at least 10 different cultivars have been introduced into Australia on different properties or at different times (Marshall et al, 2012) and it is highly likely our data represent three different cultivars. We also found generally high rates of asexual reproduction, possibly related to clonal or apomictic reproduction, which is common in this species (Kumar et al, 2019; Yadav et al, 2019).…”

“…Thus, we visualized the results along a longitudinal gradient with samples grouped by burn category within location. Cenchrus ciliaris has strong genetic differences among reproductive modes, ploidy levels and accessions (Kharrat‐Souissi et al, 2011; Yadav et al, 2019), and we anticipated that fire effects might only be evident at certain levels of genetic hierarchy. Thus, we conducted hierarchical clustering using hclust in R (R Core Team, 2020) based on Euclidean distance between each pair of individual genotypes.…”

“…The species can resprout after fire (Fensham et al, 2013), or regenerate from seed either apomictically or sexually (Kumar et al, 2019). There are strong genetic differences underlying these reproductive modes (Yadav et al, 2019). Thus, if fire changes the population from predominantly clonal to predominantly sexual, this should be reflected in population genetic structure.…”

Reproductive analyses of intraspecific Paspalum notatum Flügge hybrids.

“…KC Krycki et al The plant KF8 had 31 exclusively apomictic ovaries and 10 embryo sacs with a sexual as well as an apomictic sac (Figure 1c). Plants with both reproduction modes represented (co-exist in same ovule or in different ovules of the same plant) are considered as facultative apomictis (Kaushal et al 2019, Yadav et al 2019.…”

Reproductive Systems in Paspalum: Relevance for Germplasm Collection and Conservation, Breeding Techniques, and Adoption of Released Cultivars

“…It is a reliable technique because of the direct observation on the progeny, but is a time-consuming and demanding method as it requires to grow a large number of progenies in the field, and having the limitation of a fewer morphological markers available. The use of DNA-based markers may overcome the limitations (Chandra et al, 2010; Yadav et al, 2019). The generation of linkage maps and identification of genomic regions in the genus Paspalum (Pupilli et al, 2001; Labombarda et al, 2002; Martínez et al, 2003; Pupilli et al, 2004; Stein et al, 2004; Stein et al, 2007), allowed the identification of the apomixis-controlling genomic region.…”