Genetic diversity and differentiation of infected and uninfected populations of Buxus hyrcana by blight fungus

Boxwood (Buxus hyrcana Pojark.) is the most important and valuable broadleaf and evergreen tree species of Hyrcanian forests. Dieback of Box trees caused by Boxwood Blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola) and Boxwood moth (Cydalima perspectalis) continues to be reported in the Caspian forest. As the most consequences of reductions in the number of breeding individuals within a population involve genetic erosion, the genetic diversity and differentiation of Box trees and their progenies along Hyrcanian forests were studied. Estimation of genetic diversity and differentiation of boxwood populations and their progenies were analyzed by total protein profiles; seed storage protein profiles and seed morphology, respectively. Results indicated that despite dieback large parts of boxwood, their populations show considerable diversity. High band polymorphism was found in pooled samples of boxwoods using both ISSR (۱۳.۸%) and RAPD (۱۹.۶%) markers. Analyses of healthy versus infected pooled samples based on both markers indicated that genetic parameters were higher in healthy boxwoods. According the results, activity of polyphenol oxidase, amount of proline and soluble sugars significantly increased and percentage of humidity and relative content of humidity increased. Considerable within population diversity, and higher genetic parameters in healthy boxwoods suggested conservation efforts should focus on survivor trees in every population and consider the establishment of tree reservations. Results are useful to the management of the species in situ and ex situ conservation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Boxwood ، Cylindrocladium buxicola ، Calonectria pseudonaviculata ، genetic diversity ، marker