biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Assaeed AMThe genetic diversity of 177 accessions of <i>Panicum turgidum</i> Forssk, representing ten populations collected from four geographical regions in Saudi Arabia, was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A set of four primer-pairs with two/three selective nucleotides scored 836 AFLP amplified fragments (putative loci/genome landmarks), all of which were polymorphic. Populations collected from the southern region of the country showed the highest genetic diversity parameters, whereas those collected from the central regions showed the lowest values. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 78% of the genetic variability was attributable to differences within populations. Pairwise values for population differentiation and genetic structure were statistically significant for all variances. The UPGMA dendrogram, validated by principal coordinate analysis-grouped accessions, corresponded to the geographical origin of the accessions. Mantel's test showed that there was a significant correlation between the genetic and geographical distances (<i>r</i> = 0.35, <i>P</i> < 0.04). In summary, the AFLP assay demonstrated the existence of substantial genetic variation in <i>P. turgidum</i>. The relationship between the genetic diversity and geographical source of <i>P. turgidum</i> populations of Saudi Arabia, as revealed through this comprehensive study, will enable effective resource management and restoration of new areas without compromising adaptation and genetic diversity.Saudi journal of biological sciences123-129https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5775083biostudies-literatureEvaluation of genetic diversity of <i>Panicum turgidum</i> Forssk from Saudi Arabia.PMC5775083Migdadi HMAl-Faifi SAAssaeed AMAl Qarawi AAKhan MAEl-Bana MIfalseEvaluation of genetic diversity of <i>Panicum turgidum</i> Forssk from Saudi Arabia.The genetic diversity of 177 accessions of <i>Panicum turgidum</i> Forssk, representing ten populations collected from four geographical regions in Saudi Arabia, was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A set of four primer-pairs with two/three selective nucleotides scored 836 AFLP amplified fragments (putative loci/genome landmarks), all of which were polymorphic. Populations collected from the southern region of the country showed the highest genetic diversity parameters, whereas those collected from the central regions showed the lowest values. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 78% of the genetic variability was attributable to differences within populations. Pairwise values for population differentiation and genetic structure were statistically significant for all variances. The UPGMA dendrogram, validated by principal coordinate analysis-grouped accessions, corresponded to the geographical origin of the accessions. Mantel's test showed that there was a significant correlation between the genetic and geographical distances (<i>r</i> = 0.35, <i>P</i> < 0.04). In summary, the AFLP assay demonstrated the existence of substantial genetic variation in <i>P. turgidum</i>. The relationship between the genetic diversity and geographical source of <i>P. turgidum</i> populations of Saudi Arabia, as revealed through this comprehensive study, will enable effective resource management and restoration of new areas without compromising adaptation and genetic diversity.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jan2025-04-19T19:23:23.464Z2019-03-26T22:59:31ZS-EPMC57750832937936810.1016/j.sjbs.2017.04.002