Genetic structure of cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) based on retrotransposon-based markers

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important fiber and oil crop plants cultivated since ancient time. The flax seeds contain high amount of omega- 3-fatty acids and biologically active lignans. In spite of economic importance of cultivated flax, no information is available on its genetic variability and population structure in Iran. Therefore, we used six inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers and 15 combined IRAP markers to reveal within and among population genetic diversity in this crop plant. We used 30 randomly selected plants in three geographical populations for present investigation. AMOVA test produced significant genetic difference (PhiPT = 0.40, P = 0.010) among the studied populations and also revealed that, 40% of total genetic variability was due to within population diversity while, 60% was due to among population genetic differentiation. Gst (0.78, P = 0.001), Hedrick, standardised fixation index (G'st = 0.83, P = 0.001), revealed that the studied populations are genetically differentiated. STRUCTURE plot based on admixture model revealed that the studied populations differed extensively in their genetic content, but some degree of shared alleles occurred between them. Some adaptive IRAP loci were identified by LFMM analysis. These loci were private alleles restricted to geographical populations. Data obtained may be used in breeding and hybridization program of flax in the country.

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Population differentiation and gene flow in Rrodium cicutarium: A potential medicinal plant

Genetika ◽

10.2298/gensr2003127j ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 1127-1144 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yaocheng Jia ◽

Majid Khayatnezhad ◽

Shahram Mehri

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Gene Flow ◽

Genetic Variability ◽

Population Genetic ◽

Morphological Variability ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Assignment Test ◽

Population Genetic Differentiation ◽

Irap Markers ◽

Geographical Populations

Erodium (Geranaiceae) species are distributed in different habitats of Iran. Some species are of medicinal importance while some are well known weeds. In arid and semi-arid regions, E. cicutarium has had some importance as a forage plant and is an important grazing plant and source of protein supplements to straw for ruminants in semi deserts and wastelands of the Middle East. There is no information on its population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and morphological variability in Iran. Due to the medicinal importance of this species, a genetic variability and populations? structure study is performed studying 15 geographical populations of E. cicutarium Therefore, we used six inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers and 15 combined IRAP markers to reveal within and among population genetic diversity in this plant. AMOVA test produced significant genetic difference (PhiPT = 0.39, P = 0.010) among the studied populations and also revealed that, 55% of total genetic variability was due to within population diversity while, 45% was due to among population genetic differentiation. Mantel test showed positive significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance of the studied populations. Networking, STRUCTURE analyses and population assignment test revealed some degree of gene flow among these populations. PCoA plot of populations based on morphological characters was in agreement with MDS plot of molecular data. These results indicated that geographical populations of E. cicutarium are well differentiated both in genetic content as well as morphological characteristics. Consensus tree based on morphological and genetic data separated some of these populations from the others suggesting the existence of ecotypes within this species.

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