OBJECTIVETo study the genetic polymorphism and genetic relationship of different provenances of Leonurus japonicus.

METHODGenetic relationship in 19 provenances, which came from nationwide origins were measured by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with ISSR marker.

RESULTTwenty ISSR primers were selected from 100 ISSR primers and used for ISSR amplification. A total of 164 bands were generated, of which 117 bands were polymorphic bands (the percentage of polymorphic band, PPB = 71.34%). The similarity coefficients were calculated with NTsys 2.10e software and the dendrogram were constructed with UPGMA. Nineteen samples were divided into 3 types using the cluster analysis according to their genetic similarity coefficient.

CONCLUSIONResults from the cluster analysis were correlated significantly with the morphological characteristics and geographical location of 19 samples. The data indicate that ISSR technique is useful to determine genetic diversity and genetic relationship among Leonurus provenances, providing a scientific basis for genetic breeding, differentiation and new cultivar selection.

China ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Leonurus ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic