Genetic diversity in wild populations of Ginkgo biloba using random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) analysis

To determine the genetic variation among and within the populations of Ginkgo biloba,150 individuals from 5 populations that were located in the Tianmu Mountain area(Zhejiang Province),Wuchuan(Guizhou Province),the Dahong Mountain area(Hubei Province),the Jingfu Mountain area(Chongqing City),and the Wuyi Mountain area(Fujian Province) were analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) markers with 12 random primers.Data were analyzed with the PopGen32 software and analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA),and compared using the Nei,Shannon,among-population genetic diversity(G_st) indices.RAPD detected 194 loci of which 130 exhibited polymorphism with an average percentage of polymorphic loci(PPB) of 66.7%.Also,the average for Nei's genetic diversity was 0.431 7,for Shannon's genetic diversity information index was 0.621 1,and G_st was 0.288 2.In addition,Shannon's genetic diversity information index revealed a differentiation among populations of 0.190 3,whereas the AMOVA showing differentiation among populations was 36.7%.Overall,RAPD results indicated that the five populations of G.biloba had high genetic diversity with the populations of Tianmu Mountain area,Wuchuan,and Dahong Mountain area possibly being survival habitats stemming from the glacial period.