Analysis of genetic diversity in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding populations as revealed by RAPD genetic markers.

Red clover is an important forage legume species for temperate regions and very little is known about the genetic organization of its breeding populations. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genetic markers to address the genetic diversity and the distribution of variation in 20 breeding populations and cultivars from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Switzerland. Genetic distances were calculated for all possible pairwise combinations. A high level of polymorphism was found and the proportion of polymorphic loci across populations was 74.2%. A population derived from a non-certified seedlot displayed a higher proportion of polymorphic loci than its respective certified seedlot. Gene diversity values and population genetics parameters suggest that the populations analyzed are diverse. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the largest proportion of variation (80.4%) resides at the within population level. RAPD markers are a useful tool for red clover breeding programs. A dendrogram based on genetic distances divided the breeding populations analyzed into three distinct groups. The amount and partition of diversity observed can be of value in identifying the populations that parents of synthetic cultivars are derived from and to exploit the variation available in the populations analyzed.

[1]  M. J. Waterway,et al.  Genetic variation within and between two cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.): Comparisons of morphological, isozyme, and RAPD markers , 1995, Euphytica.

[2]  Hugo Campos-de Quiroz,et al.  Genetic variability among elite red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) parents used in Chile as revealed by RAPD markers , 2004, Euphytica.

[3]  J. Raelson,et al.  Genome relationships among Lotus species based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) , 1994, Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

[4]  P. Smouse,et al.  RAPD variation within and among natural populations of outcrossing buffalograss [Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] , 1993, Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

[5]  M. Cooper,et al.  Loss of genetic diversity associated with selection for resistance to sorghum midge in Australian sorghum , 2004, Euphytica.

[6]  M. J. Waterway,et al.  Genetic variation among cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) detected by RAPD markers amplified from bulk genomic DNA , 2004, Euphytica.

[7]  K. Basford,et al.  Analysis of genetic diversity within Australian lucerne cultivars and implications for future genetic improvement , 2002 .

[8]  E. Brummer,et al.  Genetic Variation of RAPD Markers for North American White Clover Collections and Cultivars , 2002 .

[9]  P. Bebeli,et al.  Genetic diversity in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) germplasm revealed by RAPD markers. , 2001, Genome.

[10]  G. Mueller-Warrant,et al.  Genetic diversity of Poa annua in western Oregon grass seed crops , 2000, Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

[11]  T. C. Osborn,et al.  A molecular marker linkage map of tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) , 1999, Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

[12]  J. Hamrick,et al.  Genetic variation and population genetic structure in Trifolium pratense. , 1998, The Journal of heredity.

[13]  B. Mangin,et al.  A method to measure genetic distance between allogamous populations of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using RAPD molecular markers , 1998, Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

[14]  G. Caetano-Anollés.  DNA analysis of turfgrass genetic diversity , 1998 .

[15]  G. Aubert,et al.  Sclerotinia rot resistance in red clover: Identification of RAPD markers using bulked segregant analysis , 1997 .

[16]  M. Smale,et al.  Molecular tools in plant genetic resources conservation: a guide to the technologies. , 1997 .

[17]  C. Huyghe,et al.  Partitioning and distribution of RAPD variation in a set of populations of the Medicago sativa complex , 1996 .

[18]  K. Quesenberry,et al.  Red Clover Science , 1996, Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture.

[19]  P. M. Sweeney,et al.  Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA in Perennial Ryegrass: A Comparison of Bulk Samples vs. Individuals , 1994 .

[20]  L. Excoffier,et al.  Analysis of molecular variance inferred from metric distances among DNA haplotypes: application to human mitochondrial DNA restriction data. , 1992, Genetics.

[21]  K. Livak,et al.  DNA polymorphisms amplified by arbitrary primers are useful as genetic markers. , 1990, Nucleic acids research.

[22]  S. Bowley,et al.  Physiology and Morphology of Red Clover , 1984 .

[23]  M. Nei,et al.  Estimation of average heterozygosity and genetic distance from a small number of individuals. , 1978, Genetics.