Genetic relationships of Cynodon arcuatus from different regions of China revealed by ISSR and SRAP markers

- ISSR and SRAP markers were used to reveal the genetic relationships of Cynodon radiatus.
- 14 ISSR primers and 15 SRAP primer combinations were used to amplify specific C. radiatus genomic sequences.
- 189 ISSR fragments and 334 SRAP bands were generated.
- Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.45 to 0.90 for ISSR markers, 0.48-0.94 for SRAP markers, and 0.48-0.90 for ISSR + SRAP markers.
- Cluster analysis separated the accessions into 5 distinct groups using ISSR markers, 6 groups using SRAP markers, and 5 groups using ISSR + SRAP markers.

The objectives of this research are to reveal the genetic variation and relationships of 29 Cynodon arcuatus accessions from different regions of China using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers, and to assess the levels of polymorphisms detected by the 2 different markers and compare their efficiencies. The markers were used to provide essential information for the exploration and utilization of C. arcuatus germplasms. A total of 189 bands from 300 bp to 3000 bp were amplified by 14 ISSR primers, while 334 bands from 260 bp to 1800 bp were observed by 15 SRAP primer combinations, of which 187 (98.94%) and 316 (94.61%) were polymorphic, respectively. The ranges of genetic similarity coefficients (GSC) were 0.45-0.90 for ISSR markers, 0.48-0.94 for SRAP markers, and 0.48-0.90 for ISSR + SRAP markers. Cluster analysis using 2 methods, specifically the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages and principle coordinate analysis, showed that the C. radiatus accessions clustered into 5 distinct groups using ISSR markers, 6 groups using SRAP markers, and 5 groups using ISSR + SRAP markers. The present study verified that C. arcuatus has rich genetic diversity in Hainan with the use of ISSR and SRAP markers, which provided basis for molecular breeding and germplasm creation of C. arcuatus. This study showed that the combination of both methods would be a very good way for the analysis of Cynodon accessions, which would be a good experience for further studies of the diversed Cynodon genus.