Resumo

MORALES-NIETO, Carlos R. et al. Morphological and molecular characterization of Leptochloa dubia (Poaceae) in Chihuahua, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2013, n.36, pp.79-94. ISSN 1405-2768.

Green sprangletop [Leptochloa dubia (Kunth) Nees.] is a native grass with forage value in Mexico; however, due to wrong grazing practices its populations have been decreased. In this study the morphologic and molecular variability of 32 green sprangletop populations from Chihuahua State, Mexico were evaluated. Nine morphological characteristics were measured on those populations, two years later after transplanted in a common garden under natural conditions. Genetic variability was evaluated using amplified fragment of four combination primers or oligonucleotides. Principal component analysis showed that the first tree explained 75.3% of the whole morphological diversity. A total of186 bands were amplified accounted, 56.45% were polymorphic. The combination EcoRI-AAC+MseI-CAG detected the highest polymorphism (69.57%) and 32 polymorphic bands. Cluster analysis, using Dice coefficient, distinguished five groups. The morphological and genetic variability detected on green sprangletop are basic in a selection of ecotypes with diverse purposes such as seed production, soil stabilization, ecosystem restoration, and forage among others. Also, those results are the foundation in order to start genetic programs on this important forage plant.

Palavras-chave : Leptochloa dubia; molecular markers; morphological diversity.

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