Genetic Diversity Of Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch. In China

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis F.) is one of the most useful Chinese herbal medicines, which is also important for ecological protection. In recent years, with the wild resources of G.uralensis decreasing more and more seriously, the research on artificial cultivation gradually prevailes. Studies on genetic diversity of G.uralensis are important not only for its wild resources protection, but also for its artificial cultivating practice. Genetic diversity in 59 accessions of G.uralensis originating from China was assessed using morphology, isozyme and ISSR markers. The results are as followed:1) The differences of 7 morphological characters among 34 Guralensis accessions reached significant level. Thirty-four accessions were mainly divided into 2 groups: Xinjiang and Inner-mongolia, and the differences of morphological characters among 2 groups were significant. Glycyrrhizinic acid content of Inner-mongolia was more than of Xinjiang.2) Two isozymes (EST and POD) on 31 Guralensis were assessed, and 6 enzyme loci were identified, presenting 19 allozymes, including 15 polymorphic allozymes.Polymorphism rate of allzymeis 78.95%.3) A total of 210 polymorphic DNA markers were obtained on 46 Guralensis accessions by using 18 selected primers, which were selected from 100 nucleic acid sequence, and in average 11.67 polymorphic DNA markers produced by each primer.4) Isozyme and ISSR markers showed that genetic diversity of Xinjiang region was abundant. Groups based on isozyme and ISSR markers were not in evidence with geographical regions.5) Morphology,Isozyme and ISSR markers disclosured genetic diversity of G uralensis from different levels. With combining these three methods, the genetic nature of Guralensis could be evaluated more roundly.