Phenotypic and genetic diversity of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) populations from Northern Mexico

Abstract

Blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths] is considered one of the most important grasses for restoration in Northern Mexico. Due to the low availability of seeds in Mexico, most of the blue grama seeds used for restoration have been imported, increasing costs and establishment failures. This study assessed the phenotypic and genetic diversity of 41 blue grama populations from Northern México to generate knowledge about the local blue grama genetic diversity and to select genotypes with high productive potential. Three plants per population were collected and transplanted in a nursery. During the third and fourth years after the plant establishment, twelve morphological variables were measured to assess the phenotypic variation. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed to assess genetic diversity. In general, high phenotypic and molecular diversities were found. Morphological variables with the highest inter-population variation coefficient (VC) were forage yield (VC = 59.9), number of stems (VC = 45.1), and leaf length (VC = 26.6). Molecular analysis differentiated the populations in four different groups (p < 0.05) presenting genetic distances from 0.68 to 0.77 (Dice’s Coefficient) among them. Populations from the municipalities of Bachiniva, Chihuahua, Namiquipa, and Valle de Allende showed the greatest productive potential and they could serve for the development of new blue grama varieties, which can be used in restoration programs. In addition, the genetic diversity found in the evaluated populations represents an opportunity to perform plant breeding on this species.

Keywords:

• Genetic resources
• morphological and molecular diversity
• native grass
• productive potential
• restoration