Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida International University, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

Given that morphological identification of willow is difficult, willow lines being investigated for their suitability for use as short rotation crops for biomass production in Saskatchewan were investigated with various molecular techniques as possible tools for DNA fingerprinting. Flow cytometry was used to assess variation in nuclear DNA content and thus ploidy level of the lines of the five species (<i>Salix purpurea, Salix eriocephala, Salix sachalinensis, and Salix dasyclados</i>) and three hybrids (<i>S. purpurea x S. miyabeana, S. sachalinensis x S. miyabeana, S. viminalis x S. miyabeana</i>). The DNA content varied between 1.14 and 3.00pg. Ploidy levels of the species varied from triploid to hexaploid while all hybrids were tetraploid. RAPD and ISSR marker systems were used to assess genetic and taxonomic relationships among all willow lines. Of 90 RAPD primers tested, 60 were selected and 99 polymorphic bands scored. Of 35 ISSR primers tested, 19 were selected and 35 polymorphic bands scored. Both RAPD and ISSR dendrograms clustered together lines belonging to the same species and same hybrid combination. A combination of strong and reproducible RAPD and ISSR bands was used to develop identification keys for lines belonging to the same species.<p> The ribosomal RNA gene region, including the entire 5.8S RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) was amplified and sequenced to assess sequence homology between the five species. The total length of the amplified region was 601bp, with the ITS1, 5.8 S and ITS2 being 223, 163, and 215bp respectively. Intra- and inter-species SNPs were observed, 6 within ITS1, and 3 within ITS2. No polymorphisms were found in the 5.8S gene. The low rate of variation within the sequenced ITS fragment between species supports the monophyly of the five species involved in this study, and confirms their belonging to the subgenus Caprisalix. SCAR primers were designed from species-specific polymorphic nucleotides and applied to the willow collection to test their use for species identification. A species identification key based on SNPs is proposed.

Given that morphological identification of willow is difficult, willow lines being investigated for their suitability for use as short rotation crops for biomass production in Saskatchewan were investigated with various molecular techniques as possible tools for DNA fingerprinting. Flow cytometry was used to assess variation in nuclear DNA content and thus ploidy level of the lines of the five species (<i>Salix purpurea, Salix eriocephala, Salix sachalinensis, and Salix dasyclados</i>) and three hybrids (<i>S. purpurea x S. miyabeana, S. sachalinensis x S. miyabeana, S. viminalis x S. miyabeana</i>). The DNA content varied between 1.14 and 3.00pg. Ploidy levels of the species varied from triploid to hexaploid while all hybrids were tetraploid. RAPD and ISSR marker systems were used to assess genetic and taxonomic relationships among all willow lines. Of 90 RAPD primers tested, 60 were selected and 99 polymorphic bands scored. Of 35 ISSR primers tested, 19 were selected and 35 polymorphic bands scored. Both RAPD and ISSR dendrograms clustered together lines belonging to the same species and same hybrid combination. A combination of strong and reproducible RAPD and ISSR bands was used to develop identification keys for lines belonging to the same species.<p> The ribosomal RNA gene region, including the entire 5.8S RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) was amplified and sequenced to assess sequence homology between the five species. The total length of the amplified region was 601bp, with the ITS1, 5.8 S and ITS2 being 223, 163, and 215bp respectively. Intra- and inter-species SNPs were observed, 6 within ITS1, and 3 within ITS2. No polymorphisms were found in the 5.8S gene. The low rate of variation within the sequenced ITS fragment between species supports the monophyly of the five species involved in this study, and confirms their belonging to the subgenus Caprisalix. SCAR primers were designed from species-specific polymorphic nucleotides and applied to the willow collection to test their use for species identification. A species identification key based on SNPs is proposed.

Electrophoretic variation in 12 proteins encoded by 16 loci was analyzed to compare the genetic relationships of 18 natural populations representing two species of stoneroller minnows, Campostoma anomalum and C. oligolepis. Ten of the loci were monomorphic and fixed for the same allele in all populations of both species. One locus, Mdh-2, was found to separate both species. Mean heterozygosity for both species was 0.072. Estimates of levels of inbreeding indicated this phenomenon is operating in C. anomalum to structure the populations genetically. Mean genic identity (I) between the two species was high, 0.887, indicating the taxa are closely related. Nevertheless, data accumulated point to the conclusion that the two species maintain electrophoretic variation in 12 proteins encoded by 16 loci was analyzed to compare the genetic relationships of 18 natural populations representing two species of stoneroller minnows, Campostoma anomalum and C. oligolepis. Ten of the loci were monomorphic and fixed for the same allele in all populations of both species. One locus, Mdh-2, was found to separate both species. Mean heterozygosity for both species was 0.072. Estimates of levels of inbreeding indicated this phenomenon is operating in C. anomalum to structure the populations genetically. Mean genic identity (I) between the two species was high, 0.887, indicating the taxa are closely related. Nevertheless, data accumulated point to the conclusion that the two species maintain their genetic integrity throughout their ranges. their genetic integrity throughout their ranges.

No description available.

Die Pflanzenfamilie Cucurbitaceae ist sehr vielfältig und viele Arten haben eine wirtschaftliche Bedeutung. Die Untersuchungen konzentrierten sich auf die Analyse von Cucurbitaceen im Rahmen des Gemüseanbaus; auf die Sammlung von Keimplasma im südlichen Vietnam; die Charakterisierung von Akzessionen der Cucurbitaceen; und die Ermittlung von stabilen Merkmalen zur Klassifizierung von Akzessionen des Bitterkürbis. Es erfolgte eine Umfrage im Mekong Delta zur Verbreitung von Cucurbitaceen; es wurden Akzessionen im südlichen Vietnam für die Genebank gesammelt; 160 Akzessionen von fünf gesammelten Arten der Cucurbitaceen wurden anhand von morphologischen Eigenschaften analysiert. Eine Berechnung der Eigenvektoren, UPGMA Methode und 3D-bi-Plots machte die Beziehungen zwischen den Akzessionen sichtbar; 28 Eigenschaften von sieben Bitterkürbiss Akzessionen wurden hinsichtlich der Merkmalsstabilität unter Freiland- und Gewächshausbedingungen bewertet. Es wurden der ‚Two-sample‘ Test, Korrelationstest und UPGMA Methode zur Ermittlung der Stabilität morphologischer Merkmale herangezogen. Bei den Befragungen wurde ermittelt, dass 9 Arten von Cucurbitaceen für den Markt angebaut wurden, mehr als 45% Bauern kultivierten Cucurbitaceen auf 56,5% der für den Gemüseanbau genutzten Fläche. Es wurden 244 Akzessionen mit 14 Arten der Cucurbitaceen die zu 12 Gattungen gehörten in 24 Provinzen im südlichen Vietnam gesammelt, wesentliche Informationen zu ihrer genetischen Beziehung sind verfügbar. Es wurde deutlich, dass 12 Merkmale zur stabilen Charakterisierung des Bitterkürbis geeignet sind und damit zur Einschätzung der genetischen Beziehungen zwischen den Akzessionen. / Cucurbitaceae is highly diverse and many species in this plant family are of economic importance. The study was focused to analyse cucurbit species in vegetable cultivation; to collect cucurbit germplasm in southern Vietnam; to characterize cucurbit germplasm; and to determine the stable characteristics for classifying bitter gourd accessions. A survey was carried out in Mekong River Delta; Cucurbit germplasm was collected in southern Vietnam; 160 accessions of five collected cucurbit species were analysed based on morphological characteristics. Calculating the eigenvectors, UPGMA method, and 3D bi-plots resulted in clear relationships of the accessions; 28 characteristics of seven bitter gourd accessions were evaluated for its stability in two different growing conditions. Two-sample test, correlation test, and UPGMA method were used to determine the stable characteristics. In result of this study, 9 cucurbit species cultivated for commercial market were determined, whereas more than 45% farmers produced cucurbits. Land used for cultivating cucurbits covered 56.5% of total area of vegetable cultivation. 244 accessions of 14 cucurbit species belonging to 12 Cucurbitaceae genera were collected in 24 provinces in southern Vietnam. The evaluated characteristics provided essential information for understanding the genetic relationships of the accessions that were collected in different regions. Regarding stable characteristics, these data suggested that 12 characteristics were useful for evaluating genetic relationships of bitter gourd accessions.