Analysis of genetic diversity of Melia azedarach with SRAP markers

Objective To set up a method for rapid detection of different provenances, to investigate the genetic diversity, and to provide a theoretical basis for development, utilization and selective breeding of Melia azedarach.

Method Twenty SRAP primer combinations (PCs) with relatively high polymorphisms from 783 PCs were selected to analyze the genetic diversity of 37 provenances from all distribution areas nationwide and 1 provenance from Kenya.

Result The results showed 242 clear bands were amplified by 20 PCs, among which 101 bands (40.89%) were polymorphic. The number of bands of each PC ranged from 5 to 17, with an average of 12.1. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values of these PCs ranged from 0.188 to 0.488, with an average of 0.299. Thirty-eight provenances could be divided into 7 categories based on UPGMA (with a threshold value of 0.350), and furthermore, by excluding 2 provenances, the rest 36 provenances could be divided into 5 geographic groups.

Conclusion SRAP markers can be used to effectively evaluate the genetic diversity of Melia azedarach, and the results of cluster analysis demonstrate clear geographical trends and climatic-ecological characteristics.