Developing an appropriate strategy to assess genetic variability in plant germplasm collections

• Published in: Theoretical and applied genetics Vol. 98; no. 6/7; pp. 1125 - 1131
• Main Authors: Gilbert, J.E, Lewis, R.V, Wilkinson, M.J, Caligari, P.D.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.05.1999; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; Cluster analysis; DNA; dna sample pooling; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene banks; Genetic diversity; Genetic screening; Genetic variation; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Genomic libraries; genotype; Germplasm; Identification and classification; inter-simple sequence repeats; Lupinus; Lupinus albus; Methods; microsatellite repeats; plant genetic resources; Plant genetics; polymerase chain reaction; Pteridophyta, spermatophyta; repetitive sequences; sampling; Seeds; Software; Soybeans; Vegetals; United Kingdom; Greece; Yugoslavia; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; France; Germany; Spain; Genetic variability; Genetic marker; Genetic resource; Genetic diversity; Gene library; Germplasm; Analysis method; Leguminosae; Dicotyledones; Microsatellite DNA; Angiospermae; Lupinus albus; Spermatophyta; Fodder crop; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0040-5752; 1432-2242
• DOI: 10.1007/s001220051176

The value of molecular biology for monitoring the genetic status of germplasm collections is subject to practical limitations. The large number and variability of accessions held usually dictates the approach that can be employed. A quick, simple but reliable molecular protocol must be combined with an appropriate strategy for handling large sample sizes. In this study, ISSR-PCR was used to reveal genetic variability within and between accessions held in a collection of lupin germplasm. Pooling of DNA from individuals within accessions was found to be the most appropriate strategy for assessing large quantities of plant material. Band profiles generated from pools containing five individuals were fully representative of all constituent individuals used in the mix. Pools comprising 10 or 20 individuals, however, sometimes failed to contain minor bands that had been present only in the profile of one individual. Variation was observed between pools containing five different genotypes from the same accession. Routine large-scale screens are required to assess the genetic diversity and homogeneity of the lupin germplasm collection held in Reading. It is concluded that 2-3 pools of five genotypes may be sufficient to represent the genetic variability within and between accessions in the lupin and similar collections.