Paper Details

PJB-2025-251

Genetic diversity and differentiation of Bupleurum chinense DC. in the Qinba mountains revealed by nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers

Ping Wang, Bing Zhang, Pin Liu, Youning Hu and Huaizhu Li
Abstract

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Bupleurum chinense DC. is an important medicinal plant widely cultivated in the Qinba Mountains of China. In this study, nuclear and chloroplast SSR markers specific to the genus Bupleurum were employed to genotype, 232 individuals from 19 B. chinense populations across the region, in order to assess genetic diversity and population structure. A low to moderate level of genetic diversity (nH_E = 0.235, cpH = 0.195) and high genetic differentiation (nF_ST = 0.22, cpF_ST = 0.53) were revealed. Principal coordinate analysis, UPGMA phenogram, and STRUCTURE analysis, which were based on the nSSR dataset, divided the 19 populations into three clusters, with no clear genetic structure observed. Genetic differentiation in the cpSSR dataset revealed weak geographical patterns. This was consistent with a non-significant isolation-by-distance pattern, suggesting frequent gene flow among populations. Seed exchange and historical genetic mixing between cultivated and wild populations likely influence the genetic patterns of B. chinense in the Qinba Mountains. Our findings provide crucial baseline data for conserving wild genetic resources and managing breeding programs for B. chinense.

To Cite this article: Wang, P., B. Zhang, P. Liu, Y. Hu and H. Li - Genetic diversity and differentiation of Bupleurum chinense DC. in the Qinba mountains revealed by nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers. Pak. J. Bot., 58(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-5(17)  
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