Genetic structure in natural populations of Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.) Wall. (Podocarpaceae) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam inferred by Microsatellites

To provide a reference for the conservation and application of breeding parentallines resource of Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.). Genetic diversity and population structure of eighty individuals from four populations (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong) in Central Highlands were evaluated using eight SSR markers. Based on the SSR data, 21 alleles were detected by eight SSR with high polymorphism. The genetic diversity of levels within the populations were moderately high (Ho = 0.555, He = 0.429). The average number of shannon information index were 0.618 and genetic differentiation among populations was low (Fst=0.097). The AMOVA revealed high genetic variation within individuals (87%) compared among populations (13%). The UPGMA phenogram showed that the results of molecular clustering largely agreed with the pedigree and geographic origin. Three populations (NL, KCR and BDNB) were clustered together and CYS population was separated. The maximum quantity ΔK was observed for K=2 in population structure analysis, indicating that the entire collection could be divided into two main groups of genes. This study can provide a theoretical basis for genetic resource management and varieties identification of D. elatum resources, and provide reference basis for breeding.