Screening of universal DNA barcodes for identifying grass species of Gramineae

Jianli Wang; Zhenfei Yan; Peng Zhong; Zhongbao Shen; Guofeng Yang; Lichao Ma

doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.998863

Screening of universal DNA barcodes for identifying grass species of Gramineae

Front Plant Sci. 2022 Sep 7:13:998863. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.998863. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jianli Wang¹, Zhenfei Yan², Peng Zhong³, Zhongbao Shen¹, Guofeng Yang², Lichao Ma²

Affiliations

¹ Pratacultural Science Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
² College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
³ Branch of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qiqihar, China.

Abstract

There is currently international interest in applying DNA barcoding as a tool for plant species discrimination and identification. In this study, we evaluated the utility of four candidate plant DNA barcoding regions [rbcL, matK, trnL-F, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] in seven genera of Gramineae including Agropyron, Bromus, Elymus, Elytrigia, Festuca, Leymus, and Lolium. Fourteen accessions were analyzed, and matK and ITS showed the highest species, subspecies, and variety discriminatory power, each resolving 11 accessions. Species discrimination using rbcL and trnL-F was lower, resolving 7 and 8 accessions, respectively. Subspecies and variety discrimination using rbcL and trnL-F could not identify 4 accessions of Agropyron. A technical system can be established using the proposed DNA barcode to rapidly and reliably identify the seven genera of Gramineae. This study serves as a "useful reference" for identifying the genetic diversity of grass germplasm resources. DNA barcoding can be utilized to uncover the relatives of different species within the same family or between different families. It can also be used to determine the related groups of important herbage, turfgrass, and crops and provide crucial background information for discovering excellent genes and improving existing crop varieties.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; ITS; haplotype; matK; rbcL; trnL-F.