Genetic Diversity in Natural Populations and Corresponding Seed Collections of Little Bluestem as Revealed by AFLP Markers

Abstract

rarely been questioned. Third, general knowledge about genetic diversity of many grass species native to North Little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] is one America is largely lacking (Huff et al., 1998; Larson et of the most widespread native grasses in North America. Little is al., 2001a), as few molecular diversity studies on these known about the genetic diversity of this species in natural populations and in seed collections. The amplified fragment length polymorphism species have been made. Thus, informative diversity stud-(AFLP) technique was applied to assess the comparative genetic ies on native grasses with molecular techniques are wardiversity of six natural populations of little bluestem in Manitoba and ranted. Saskatchewan and their corresponding seed collections. Five AFLP Little bluestem is a native, warm-season, highly outprimer pairs were employed to screen a total of 180 samples representcrossing, tetraploid, perennial bunchgrass (Archer and ing about 15 tillers per population and 15 seeds per collection, and Bunch, 1953; Gould, 1956) that inhabits a wide ecologi-158 polymorphic AFLP bands were scored for each sample. Analyses cal range in North America where it is used for reclamaof these scored bands revealed that Ͼ91% of the total AFLP variation tion and ground cover (Hitchcock, 1950). While breedwas present within the natural populations and within the seed collecing efforts to improve little bluestem seed production tions. The among-population and among-collection variation compohave been made in

A multiple species approach to biomass production from native herbaceous perennial feedstocks

“…Variation among genotypes for number of phytomers per tiller was likely due to withincultivar variation in maturity as a result of multiple sources from Nebraska and Kansas being used in the development of Camper. Fu et al (2004) reported that >91% of the total amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) variation of six natural populations of little bluestem from Manitoba and Saskatchewan was within the populations. Since natural stands of little bluestem on marginal land in dry areas are highly bunchy (Weaver 1960), research to determine the impact of variation in interplant spacing on axillary branching, biomass production, seed production, water and nutrient use efficiency, and persistence is needed (Boe and Bortnem 2009).…”

“…It is considered a tetraploid with the chromosome number and ploidies were determined as 2n=40 (Bruner 1983). The utilization of molecular markers to determine genetic diversity among populations of little bluestem has occurred, although it was proposed that due to the outcrossing mode of reproduction of this species, resulting in highly heterogeneous populations, ascertaining an accurate representation of the genetic diversity of little bluestem would be difficult (Huff et al 1998;Fu et al 2004). It is postulated that the phenotype of little bluestem is independently and continuously variable across its range of habitation without discernable regional delineation (Wipff 1996).…”

“…A second study into the genetic diversity of little bluestem was performed by Fu et al (2004), utilizing AFLPs. In this study, the population examined was from the extreme north of the geographic range of bluestem, with all samples collected north of the 49°parallel in western Canada.…”

“…In this study, the population examined was from the extreme north of the geographic range of bluestem, with all samples collected north of the 49°parallel in western Canada. From six locations, 30 plants were randomly selected for tissue collection (Fu et al 2004). One of the goals of this research, similar to that of Huff et al (1998), was to assess the genetic diversity of natural populations, with congruent concerns about improved plant materials not maintaining a level of genetic diversity requisite for adaptation to a new environment (Fu et al 2004).…”

“…From six locations, 30 plants were randomly selected for tissue collection (Fu et al 2004). One of the goals of this research, similar to that of Huff et al (1998), was to assess the genetic diversity of natural populations, with congruent concerns about improved plant materials not maintaining a level of genetic diversity requisite for adaptation to a new environment (Fu et al 2004). Tissue for DNA extraction was collected from the plants and analyzed with five primer combinations, creating 158 scorable polymorphic bands (Fu et al 2004).…”