Tracking of Origin of Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) by Chloroplast Genome Sequence and Comparison of Genetic Diversity

Gyeong-Jong Heo1   Jin-Won  Kim1,*   

1Crop Protection Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea

Abstract

Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.), one of the invasive alien species (IAS) in Korea and Korean croplands such as orchards has been threatened by its invasion. As a part of biological control of L. serriola, the objective of this study was to track the origin of Korean L. serriola by completion of the chloroplast genome sequence, investigation of genetic diversity among seven domestic accessions, and comparison with seven abroad accessions based on polymorphism by 13 SSR markers. The length of the chloroplast genome of L. serriola was 152,664 bp and a total of 112 genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome. As a result of polymorphism analyses, the L. serriola accessions showed low heterozygosity (0.1±0.02). The results suggest that genetic diversity of the L. serriola accessions could be low or limited and the low genetic diversity might be resulted from adaptation to harsh environmental conditions and self-pollination characteristics. Principal coordinates analysis showed two different groups, Korean accession group and European accession group, and both groups were distinguished from each other. The analysis result suggested that the Korean L. serriola could not be introduced from Europe region directly or through China. Although the origin or inflow route was not elucidated, DNA-based origin tracking of IAS could be successful and this information would help to bio-control of IAS.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1.Circular genome map of chloroplast of .