Morphological variability and genetic structure of Miscanthus sinensis (Poaceae) cultivated in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Miscanthus sinensis Andersson (Poaceae) grows in monsoon climate. For this reason, when cultured under the conditions of a short growing season of Western Siberia, full-fledged seeds do not have time to form. We have studied a large number of specimens of this species from Primorsky Krai in the collection of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS. Using these samples, it was possible for the first time to select forms that produce high-quality mature seeds in local conditions during a short growing season, possibly due to spontaneous hybridization of early flowering forms. We obtained the first and second (G1 and G2) generations from these seeds and checked for hybrids. The aim of this study is selection, biomorphological characterization of early flowering ornamental forms of M. sinensis and analysis of genetic polymorphism of the selected forms (S1, S2) and the obtained G1 and G2 generations using ISSR markers. Under the conditions of introduction, the selected samples of M. sinensis were characterized by complex resistance, high decorativeness, reached the ontogenetic state of mature generative plants and differed from other samples in the collection by early flowering and the formation of full-fledged seeds. Thus, the forms of M. sinensis we selected are promising for landscape design and breeding. When studying the genetic structure of G1, G2 and two generations of the sample using ISSR markers, three effective stable unique PCR fragments were identified. A study of the genetic variability of the resulting G1 generation showed complete uniformity of genotypes. In the G2 generation, variability was observed, and we found five sets of genotypes, which were also confirmed in the dendrogram. As a result, unique molecular polymorphic fragments were identified. Their length was 300–3000 bp, and the genetic formula for certification of M. sinensis was compiled.

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