Use of Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers to Assess the Genetic Diversity of Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. Collected from Northern Vietnam

Abstract

Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. is a medical plant which has been used as treatment for medical diseases and health maintenance for aged people. The species was listed among Critically Endangered (CR) plants in 2007 Vietnam’s Red Data Book. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were first used to investigate genetic diversity of naturally distributed P. bipinnatifidus which was classified by 2 age groups (the older (>6 years old) and the younger (≤6 years old)). 30 samples were collected from 3 different locations in Lai Chau and Lao Cai (two provinces in the North of Vietnam). The results showed that there were 17 polymorphic primers and 148 bands at length of 150 to 1500 bp were created from the 17 selected primers. The number of bands in each primer ranged from 6 to 12 bands with a mean value of 8.7. It should be noted that the genetic diversity of P. bipinnatifidus was fairly high (PPB = 89.2%; He = 0.251). The genetic diversity among the older group (PPBo = 72.30%; Heo = 0.210) was lower than that of the younger (PPBy = 77.03%; Hey = 0.251). The two investigated groups had average gene differentiation (GST = 0.093) with gene distance of Dyo = 0.028 while gene flow between them was moderate (Nm = 2.438). These findings showed that P. bipinnatifidus was endangered; however, it can still grow in the future under proper protection and development thanks to its high genetic diversity.