Biodiv Sci ›› 2008, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (4): 362-368.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2008.07314

• Original Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Phenotypic variation of natural populations of Primula denticulatassp. sinodenticulata

Zhang Ruili, Jia Yin, Zhang Qixiang()   

  1. College of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, The Flower Engineer and Technological Research Center of China, Beijing 100083
  • Received:2007-10-19 Accepted:2008-04-01 Online:2008-07-20 Published:2008-07-20
  • Contact: Zhang Qixiang

Abstract:

Primula denticulatassp. sinodenticulata(Primulaceae) is an herbaceous perennial in southwest China. Many gardeners recommend it for alpine garden construction or greenhouse cultivation. Due to habitat destruction, however, this plant is rapidly decreasing in number and size of populations. To conserve this plant for our future reintroductions and breeding, 10 natural populations of Primula denticulatassp. sinodenticulatawere analyzed using morphological markers. Morphological diversity among and within populations were analyzed based on 8 phenotypic traits of 30 plants from each population. Phenotypic variance analysis showed that significant variation existed among and within populations. Coefficient of variations (CVs) ranged between 4.73% and 9.90%, and phenotypic differentiation coefficients (Vst) ranged from 15.41% to 40.69%, the mean value was 28.54% and within-population variation comprised a majority of total phenotypic variation. UPGMA Cluster analysis based on morphological traits showed that the 10 populations could be divided into three groups. According to our results, conservation of this species’ genetic resources should focus on protecting populations with higher morphological variation, andin situ conservation should be carried out in their original habitats.

Key words: Primula denticulatassp. sinodenticulata, natural population, morphological variation, germplasm conservation