A STUDY ON GENETIC VARIATION BETWEEN WILD AND CULTIVATED POPULATIONS OF PAEONIA LACTIFLORA PALL.

AIM To discuss the genetic differentiation between wild and cultivated populations o f Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and to find the reason for forming the genuinene ss of Radix Paeoniae rubra (Chishao) and Radix Paeoniae alba (Baishao). METHODS Forty three representative samples of P.lactiflora from 11 localities we re analyzed by RAPD method with 21 random primers. According to RAPD results, th e genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of P.lactiflora were det ected by the percentage of polymorphic sites (PPB), the coefficient of gene diff erentiation (G ST ) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). RESULTS (1) At species level, the PPB of P.lactiflora was 85 26%, the Nei's gene diversity (H t) was 0 166. The PPB in wild population (WP) was 77 61%, which was more than that (54 96%) in cultivated population for medicine (MP), a nd that (61 76%) in cultivated population for ornament (OP). (2) AMOVA showed that 29 50% of the genetic diversity resulted from differentia tion among populations. Pairwise Phist distance (0 3632) between WP and MP was furthest, while that (0 0973) between MP and OP was closest, indicating populat ion differentiation was significant ( P 0 001). (3) In general, cluster analysis revealed that the samples of P.lactiflora were divided in wild and cultivated groups (except for 39). In WP, individual s of Duolun were separated from those of other localities. In MP, the clusters o f samples corresponded well with their own habitats. CONCLUSION In addition to environmental factor, genetic differentiation should be the main cause for the genuineness of “Chishao” and “Baishao”. Because of over colle ction and worse habitat, P.lactiflora in Duolun, whose root is the famou s Chinese Geo herbal “Duolun Chishao”, is progresively rare. So, it s hould become the endangered germplasm resource to protect.