Genetic diversity analysis of sedges (Carex spp.) in Shandong, China based on inter-simple sequence repeat

• The study develops ISSR-PCR system to analyze genetic diversity in Carex species.
• ISSR maker is an efficient technique to estimate genetic diversity of Carex species.
• There is abundant genetic diversity in the genus Carex.
• Molecular grouping of Carex correlates with geographical distribution and habitat.

As the plants of turfgrass, forage and environment protecting plants, Carex L. has important economic value. The aims of the study were to construct ISSR-PCR amplification reaction system on Carex and to investigate the genetic diversity of 16 Carex populations belonging to 10 species using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) makers. A total of 120 polymorphic amplified bands were obtained from 6 primers, and the percentage of polymorphisms was 100%. Genetic similarity between accessions ranged from 0.4250 to 0.8667 with an average of 0.6459, suggesting that the collected accessions are genetically diverse. All accessions were grouped into 3 clusters according to the UPGMA dendrogram. Most of the populations from the same regions can be basically clustered together and molecular grouping of Carex spp. correlates with geographical distribution and ecological environment. However, a few appeared to be divergent with the geographical distribution. The results showed that ISSR maker is an effective tool for the study of genetic diversity in Carex. As for the genus Carex, such information is needed for successful management and preservation of species to ensure the maintenance of genetic variation.