Genetic Diversity Assessment of Iranian Kentucky Bluegrass Accessions: I. ISSR Markers and Their Association with Habitat Suitability Within and Between Different Ecoregions

Poa pratensis L. is a commonly used cool-season turfgrass and endemic to Iran. This research was carried out to examine the genetic diversity of this plant within and between ecoregions of Iran and the impact of climatic variables and elevation on the distribution of its genotypes, as well as habitat suitability modeling. We used fifty accessions collected from six ecoregions (West, South, North, North-West and North-East) for genetic diversity assessment using 20 ISSR marker primers. The prospective ecoregions for Kentucky bluegrass production were projected using habitat suitability modeling, which took into account important environmental parameters, such as annual mean temperature, annual mean rainfall, and elevation. According to the UPMGA dendrogram, the accessions were divided into two major types and four subclasses. The genetic distance between the North and North-east accessions, as well as the Center accessions, was greater than that of the other genotypes. Center accessions had the greatest levels of polymorphism, effective number of alleles, Shannon index, and Nei's genetic diversity. The FR method was used to create the habitat suitability map based on environmental factors. Rainfall had the largest influence on the genotype distribution of P. pratensis L. The findings of this study can be used as raw materials in future breeding programs to improve and generate new cultivars with superior characteristics. It can also assist programs in identifying rare cultivars as well as preserving and developing native P. pratensis L. genotypes.

Automated summary

This research investigated the genetic diversity of Poa pratensis L. within and between ecoregions of Iran, and examined the impact of climatic variables and elevation on genotype distribution. Habitat suitability modeling was used to project potential ecoregions for this plant. The results showed significant genetic distance between genotypes from different ecoregions, with the highest levels of diversity and genetic diversity found in the Center accessions. Rainfall was identified as the most influential factor on the genotype distribution of P. pratensis L.