Analysis of genetic diversity among Chinese strains using ISSR and SRAP markers.

Background: is an edible and medicinal fungal species commonly cultivated in China. The major problems currently facing by growers of is the random labeling of strains and strains aging and degeneration. Therefore, an evaluation of genetic diversity is essential for the conservation and reproducing programs of this species.

Methods: In the present study, 24 widely cultivated strains were collected from the main producing areas of China, and the genetic diversity analysis was performed. DNA polymorphism among these Chinese strains was analyzed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers.

Results: Eight ISSR primers amplified a total of 75 DNA fragments of which 61 (81.33%) were polymorphic. Fifteen SRAP primer combinations amplified 166 fragments of which 132 (79.52%) were polymorphic. Cluster analysis showed that the strains fall into five groups with a genetic distance values ranging from 0.06 to 0.60 by ISSR analysis, while the SRAP analysis divided the test strains into four groups within the range of genetic distance from 0.03 to 0.57. The results of the present study reveal a high level of genetic diversity among the widely cultivated strains.