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Genetic variation in the agamic species complex of Pennisetum section Brevivalvula (Poaceae) from West Africa: ploidy levels and isozyme polymorphism

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Abstract

Some characteristics of the species complex Pennisetum section Brevivalvula are polyploidy and apomixis. Four euploidy levels (x = 9) were assessed by DAPI-flow cytometry for 304 plants of the section, distributed among five species: P. hordeoides (2n = 36, 54), P. pedicellatum (2n = 36, 45, 54), P. polystachion (2n = 18, 36, 45, 54), P. setosum (2n = 54), and P. subangustum (2n = 18, 36, 54). The geographical distribution of the ploidy levels seems to be related to major ecological zones of West Africa. The hilly regions displayed a higher ploidy diversity than the others; diploid populations of the annual species P. polystachion and P. subangustum were found. Genotypic variation expressed by isozyme polymorphism did not show any significant difference between the diploid, sexual populations and the polyploid, apomictic populations of these two species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpfv – Orstom, Genetic Laboratory, B.P. 11416, Niamey, Niger

    G.H. Schmelzer

  2. Orstom, Genetic Laboratory, B.P. 11416, Niamey, Niger

    J.-F. Renno

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  1. G.H. Schmelzer
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  2. J.-F. Renno
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Schmelzer, G., Renno, JF. Genetic variation in the agamic species complex of Pennisetum section Brevivalvula (Poaceae) from West Africa: ploidy levels and isozyme polymorphism. Euphytica 96, 23–29 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002974304592

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