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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (8): 56-67.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20210806

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Genetic Variation of Leaf Phenotypic Traits in Different Populations of Populus cathayana

Demei Cao1,Yahong Zhang1,Xingqi Cheng1,Xiaodong Xiang1,Lei Zhang1,Jianjun Hu1,2,*   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2020-09-02 Online:2021-08-25 Published:2021-09-30
  • Contact: Jianjun Hu

Abstract:

Objective: To reveal genetic diversity and patterns of geographic variation of leaf phenotypic traits in and among different populations of Populus cathayana so as to lay a foundation for further analysis of genetic mechanism, and for collection, conservation and improvement of P. cathayana germplasm resources. Method: A total of 34 P. cathayana populations from the main distribution areas in China were sampled by collecting 1-2 years old shoots. The shoots were cutting-propagated in greenhouse and transplanted into nursery, the transplanted plants were topped in spring in the following year, the 7th, 8th and 9th new leaves below the stem tip were collected in July and 14 phenotypic traits(leaf morphological traits, leaf colour and SPAD) were measured. Variance analysis, correlation analysis and cluster analysis were conducted. Result: There were significant differences in the 14 traits among and within populations(P < 0.01), indicating that the genetic variation of leaf in P. cathayana was abundant. The average phenotypic population differentiation coefficient was 55.771% among populations, indicating the main source of variation was from among the populations. The average coefficient of variation for phenotypic traits was 20.562%, the largest coefficient of variation was relative length of petiole while the chlorophyll SPAD value was the smallest. The average coefficient of variation of phenotypic traits in each population was 12.852%, population Badi (No. 31) in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region had the most abundant variation while population Longquan (No. 11) in Hebei province had the smallest variation and the highest stability of phenotypic traits. There was significant or extremely significant correlation between leaf phenotypic traits and geographical meteorological factors, only leaf color had no significant correlation with other leaf traits, reflecting its relatively independent inheritance. The 34 populations were divided into 4 groups, they are large leaf with long petiole, medium leaf, narrow leaf with short petiole and small leaf. The populations can be divided into three distribution regions according to the distribution of the taxa and the characteristics of Chinese topography: the northern margin of North China Plain in the east of Taihang Mountains(region 1), the Loess Plateau between Taihang Mountains and Liupan Mountains-Qinling Mountains(region 2), and the surrounding area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(region 3). The narrow leaf with short petiole accounted for 57.14% in the region 1, medium-sized leaf accounted for 66.67% in the region 2, and the small leaf accounted for the largest proportion 62.5% in the region 3. Conclusion: The genetic variation of leaf traits in P. cathayana was abundant, population Lanqikalun(No. 17) in Hebei province, Banjieta(No. 30) and Badi(No. 31) in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region had rich diversity and were the priority populations for diversity protection and germplasm conservation. There was a strong correlation between leaf phenotypic traits and geographical meteorological factors, and the patterns of geographic variation of leaf of P. cathayana mainly related to altitude.

Key words: Populus cathayana, population, leaf, genetic variation, geographic variation

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