RAPD-based assessment of genetic relationships among and within American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) populations and their implications for a future conservation strategy

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a native North American medicinal plant that is becoming increasingly vulnerable despite government harvest restrictions. To better understand the genetic diversity and gene flow of American ginseng, we studied RAPD variation in cultivated and wild populations. Classical and Bayesian analogues of genetic diversity statistics were estimated in seven wild and two cultivated populations. The wild populations were more highly structured (G _stβ  = 0.41) than the cultivated populations (G _stβ  = 0.24). The genetic diversity within populations ranged from H _eβ  = 0.05 to 0.38. Based on genetic pairwise distances, six of the wild populations clustered with the locally-derived cultivated population, while one wild population was more similar to the non-local cultivated population than the local populations. This wild population was highly diverse (P = 1.0; U = 1.0) suggesting that it was supplemented from exotic seed. A set of eight RAPD markers was identified that differentiated plants of local and non-local origin. As a conservation strategy, we recommend that regional gene banks be established based on molecular and geographic diversity to preserve the locally adapted germplasm. These regional gene banks would serve as a conservation tool and also provide a source of genes for genetic improvement of cultivated ginseng.     

Genetic diversity of the African wild rice (Oryza longistaminata Chev. et Roehr) from Ethiopia as revealed by SSR markers

Data from microsatellite markers have been extensively used for both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies by determining the level of genetic diversity of natural populations that can widen the gene pool of cultivated plants. Such conservation practices are based on understanding of the between and within population genetic variations and partitioning populations on the basis of geographic origin. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of Oryza longistaminata Chev. et Roehr and how this variation is partitioned within and between the eight O. longistaminata populations found in the different geographic regions of Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers. Five microsatellite markers in 320 samples generated 64 alleles that revealed the presence of large amount of genetic variability (Ho = 0.225; He = 0.768; Na = 7.375; Ne = 6.565 and P = 0.744). The F-statistics detected by the microsatellite loci showed Fst = 0.064 and Fis = 0.743 and there was no population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic diversity results obtained from this data indicated that there are high levels of genetic diversity in the populations of O. longistaminata studied and it is higher within than between populations. Among the eight populations sampled, five populations were identified as priorities for conservation strategies. Thus, national collection and conservation strategies need to consider these populations.     

Population genetic structure of in situ wild Sorghum bicolor in its Ethiopian center of origin based on SSR markers

In situ population studies of wild relatives of crops are crucial for the conservation of plant genetic resources, especially in regions with high genetic diversity and a risk of local extinction. Ethiopia is the center of origin for sorghum, yet little is known about the genetic structure of extant wild populations. Using 9 Simple Sequence Repeat loci, we characterized 19 wild populations from five regions, 8 local cultivar populations from three regions, and 10 wild sorghum accessions from several African countries. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study to date of in situ wild sorghum populations in Africa. Genetic diversity corrected for sample size was significantly greater in the wild populations in situ than in local cultivars or the accessions. Approximately 41 % of the genetic variation in the wild plants was partitioned among populations, indicating a high degree of differentiation and potential value for germplasm conservation, and the average number of migrants (N_m) per generation was 0.43. Cluster analyses showed that some wild populations were grouped by geographic region, whereas others were not, presumably due to long-distance seed movement. Four wild populations from disjunct regions formed a unique cluster with an Ethiopian accession of subsp. drummondii and probably represent a weedy race. STRUCTURE and other analyses detected evidence for crop-wild hybridization, consistent with previous molecular marker studies in Kenya, Mali, and Cameroon. In summary, in situ wild sorghum populations in Ethiopia harbor substantial genetic diversity and differentiation, despite their close proximity to conspecific cultivars in this crop/wild/weedy complex.     

ISSR analysis shows low genetic diversity versus high genetic differentiation for giant bamboo, Dendrocalamus giganteus (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), in China populations

Dendrocalamus giganteus Munro is a high-value woody bamboo widely grown in Southeast Asia and China’s Yunnan Province. We investigated its genetic diversity in Yunnan as a prelude to considering effective breeding programs and the protection of germplasm resources. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to assess the genetic structure and differentiation of seven populations. Seven ISSR primers generated 140 bands, of which 124 were polymorphic (88.57%). Genetic diversity within populations was relatively low, averaging 11.33% polymorphic bands (PPB), while diversity was considerably higher among populations, with PPB = 88.57%. Greater genetic differentiation was detected among populations (G _ST = 0.8474). We grouped these seven populations into two clusters within an UPGMA dendrogram—one comprised the Xinping and Shiping populations from central Yunnan, the other included the remaining five populations. Mantel tests indicated no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among populations. Breeding system characteristics, genetic drift, and limited gene flow (N _m = 0.0901) might be important factors for explaining this differentiation. Based on the overall high genetic diversity and differentiation among D. giganteus populations in Yunnan, we suggest the implementation of in situ conservation measures for all populations and sufficient sampling for ex situ conservation collections.     

Population structure of the primary gene pool of Oryza sativa in Thailand

The gene pool of cultivated Asian rice consists of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.), cultivated rice (O. sativa L.) and a weedy form (O. sativa f. spontanea). All three components are widespread in Thailand, frequently co-occurring within fields and providing the opportunity for gene flow and introgression. The purpose to this study is to understand the on-going evolutionary processes that affect the gene pool of rice by analysis of microsatellite variation. Results indicate that O. rufipogon, the wild ancestor of rice, has high levels of genetic variation both within and among populations. Moreover, the variation is structured predominantly by annual and perennial life history. High levels of variation are detected among cultivars indicating Thai cultivated rice has a broad genetic base with only a 20 % reduction in diversity from its wild ancestor. The weedy rice populations reveal varying levels of genetic variation, from nearly as high as wild rice to near zero. Weedy rice is genetically structured into 2 groups. Some populations of invasive weedy rice are the result of hybridization and gene flow between local wild rice and local cultivated rice in the regions of co-occurrence. Other populations of weedy rice are genetically nearly identical to the local cultivated rice. The diversity analysis indicates that the rice gene pool in Thailand is a dynamic genetic system. Gene flow is ongoing among its three main components, first between cultivated and wild rice resulting in weedy rice. Weedy rice in turn crosses with both cultivated varieties and wild rice.     

Genetic diversity associated with conservation of endangered Dongxiang wild rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza rufipogon</Emphasis>)

The wild progenitor species (Oryza rufipogon) of Asian cultivated rice (O. sativa L.) is located in Dongxiang county, China which is considered its the northernmost range worldwide. Nine ex situ and three in situ populations of the Dongxiang wild rice (DXWR) and four groups of modern cultivars were genotyped using 21 SSR markers for study of population structure, conservation efficiency and genetic relationship. We demonstrated that the ex situ conservation of the DXWR failed to maintain the genetic identity and reduced genetic diversity. Therefore, in situ conservation is absolutely necessary to maintain the genetic identity, diversity and heterozygosity. Also, in situ conservation is urgently needed because natural populations in DXWR have decreased from nine to three at present due to farming activity and urban expansion. In DXWR, the three surviving in situ populations had greater expected heterozygosity than any cultivated rice, and were genetically closer to japonica than either the male-sterile maintainer or restorer lines, or indica. Japonica has the lowest genetic diversity of cultivated rice. As a result, DXWR is a rich gene pool and is especially valuable for genetic improvement of japonica rice because these O. rufipogon accessions are most closely related to the japonica as compared to O. rufipogon collected anywhere else in the world.     

Genetic diversity analysis of yams (Dioscorea spp.) cultivated in China using ISSR and SRAP markers

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is widely cultivated in China and many landraces are maintained by local farmers. However, there is little information available about their diversity and species identity. In this study, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) techniques were used to assess genetic diversity within 21 yam landraces from seven cultivated populations. We observed high level of polymorphism among these landraces, specifically, 95.3 % for ISSR and 93.5 % for SRAP. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a significantly greater variation among the four yam species (40.39 %) and their populations (35.78 %) than within the populations (23.83 %). The unweighted pair group method arithmetic averages clusters and principal component analysis for 21 landraces formed four well-separated groups containing landraces of each of the four species, namely, Dioscorea opposita Thunb., Dioscorea alata L., Dioscorea persimilis Prain et Burkill, and Dioscorea fordii Prain et Burkill. The ISSR and SRAP primers were highly discriminatory among the 21 landraces; all 21 landraces could be easily differentiated using these primers. The average mean of gene flow (Nm = 0.1081) estimated from high genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.8222) suggested that gene flow among the populations was relatively restricted. The lack of genetic diversity within individual yam species suggests that it is critical to develop long-term strategies for enhancing genetic diversity within various yam species.     

Comparative genetic structure within single-origin pairs of rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces from in situ and ex situ conservation programs in Yunnan of China using microsatellite markers

The genetic structure and diversity of eight pairs of rice landraces from in situ (collected in 2007) and ex situ (collected in 1980) conservation programs were studied using 20 pairs of microsatellite markers with high polymorphism. Each pair of rice landraces shares a name and origin and has similar seed and plant traits. The number of alleles detected in the populations from in situ conservation ranged from 43 to 88 with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 2.15 to 4.40, while the number of alleles detected in the populations from ex situ conservation ranged from 33 to 65, and the mean of alleles per locus ranged from 1.65 to 3.25. Compared to the ex situ populations, the number of alleles, the number of specific alleles and the genetic diversity index showed a significant increase in the in situ populations. Further, the numbers of specific alleles from in situ populations were 2.1–5.0 times greater than in ex situ populations except for rice landrace ‘Qitougu’. An AMOVA showed that the within-landrace genetic structure differed significantly between in situ and ex situ conservation treatments with differences exceeding 20%. The analysis of genetic similarity reached similar conclusions to those of the AMOVA. Compared with ex situ conservation programs, the rice landraces under in situ conservation programs had more alleles and higher genetic diversity in Yunnan of China.     

Genetic diversity and gene flow dynamics revealed in the rare mixed populations of wild soybean (Glycine soja) and semi-wild type (Glycine gracilis) in China

Thus far, there is little knowledge of the genetic diversity, structure and gene flow dynamics in rare wild and semi-wild soybean mixed populations, and such information is vital for understanding of the origin of semi-wild soybean (Glycine gracilis) and the biosafety protection of wild soybean from transgenic soybeans. Population eco-genetic data are necessary to provide a more coherent and comprehensive understanding of the genetic events that occurred in the natural habitats of wild soybean (Glycine soja). We tested genetic diversity and structure of 11 wild mixed populations of wild soybean (Glycine soja) and semi-wild soybean (G. gracilis), 1 wild soybean population, and 1 cultivated soybean variety population were studied using 20 nuclear microsatellite markers (SSRs). We found based on microsatellite polymorphisms that the mixed populations were characterized by higher mean heterozygosity (H _o = 0.029) and outcrossing rate (t _m = 6.35 %), and lower fixation index (F _is = 0.891), and the semi-wild plants had distinctly higher heterozygosity (H _o = 0.081) than that of the wild plants (H _o = 0.007). The occurrence of semi-wild plants influenced population genetic structure but not geographical population differentiation. These mixed populations exhibited strong ecogeographical differentiation, which suggests that their original populations were colonized over a long phytogeographical history. The introgression occurred through pollen gene flow from the soybean fields into wild populations and created the semi-wild plants, with significant genetic differentiation from the typical wild ones. Introgressive genes could become established by two possible modes in wild soybean populations by both self-segregation and/or intrapopulation secondary hybridization. The latter deserves attention because of the possibility of rapid transgene escape.     

The original features of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genetic diversity and the importance of within-variety diversity in the highlands of Madagascar build a strong case for in situ conservation

In situ conservation of crop genetic resources is widely recommended but, as yet, no methods have been developed to rank the genetic entities to preserve and the social organisations to involve. The highlands of Madagascar have been identified as a key site for rice, Oryza sativa, genetic diversity. To define conservation strategies, we performed multidisciplinary analysis of rice genetic diversity and factors shaping its distribution in the target region. Along with the indica and japonica rice subspecies of O. sativa, we confirmed the presence of an atypical rice group with a preferential habitat of 1,250–1,750 m. Spatial distribution of genetic diversity was uneven. The most determining factor of this unevenness was the altitude authorising or not the presence of different rice cropping systems and the associated types of varieties. Village and individual farmer’s wealth also had a determining role on the amount of rice diversity they hosted. While molecular variance between villages in a given interval of altitude represented 16 % of the total variance, within-village variance represented more than 75 % of the total, and within-farm variance 70 % of within-village variance. This hierarchical distribution of molecular variance suggests that a small number of samples per scale (altitude interval, village and farm) could allow to capture most of the genetic diversity observed. However, within-variety diversity was also important making ex situ conservation strategies impractical and costly. Implications of the within-variety diversity are discussed in terms of adaptive advantages, evolutionary processes, and need for in situ conservation.     

Genetic variability of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) populations in the Ili Valley as revealed by ISSR markers

The genetic variability of 14 wild Prunus armeniaca populations was investigated using morphological analysis and inter-simple sequence repeat markers. 10 morphological characters revealed a high level variation, especially Fruit number, Fruit weight, Seed weight and Tree height. Totally, 15 selected primers generated 155 loci, with an average of 10.3 bands per primer. Nei’s gene diversity (H _e ) and Shannon’s index of diversity (I) were fairly high at the species level (H _e  = 0.2741, I = 0.4220). High molecular and morphological variability indicated that wild apricots in the Ili Valley still maintained a relatively high level of diversity. The G _ST of 0.2275 revealed a low level of genetic differentiation among populations, and genetic variation mainly resided within populations (81.51 %), which was identified with the moderate gene flow value (N _m  = 1.6974). The relatively high intraspecific genetic diversity and low inter-population genetic differentiation was largely attributed to long-distance dispersal of pollen, continuous distribution of populations and the self-incompatible breeding system.     

Population baseline data for monitoring genetic diversity loss for 2010: A case study for Brassica species in the UK

The Convention on Biological Diversity and the subsequent International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture have proved a watershed in plant genetic resources (PGR) conservation and consequent initiatives have set various PGR conservation targets to be met by 2010. The aim of our paper is to develop ideas and issues concerning the monitoring of natural genetic resources: particularly in terms of developing a baseline from which to measure levels of genetic diversity. Three species of Brassica (B. nigra, B. oleracea, B. rapa) found wild in the UK were assessed for levels of genetic diversity using AFLP. The relationship between genetic distribution and ecogeographic distribution was considered for each species to determine patterns that may be useful in formulating conservation strategies. Genetic distance between populations of B. nigra and B. rapa were correlated to geographic distance. Levels of genetic polymorphism in B. oleracea were correlated to soil pH while in B. rapa they were correlated to soil coarseness. In terms of PGR conservation these findings may suggest an emphasis toward in situ conservation of a selection of disparate populations would be appropriate where possible as such adaptations may be lost in ex situ collections.     

Towards a methodology for on-farm conservation of plant genetic resources

The signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the ``Earth Summit' in 1992, its ratification and its subsequent entering into force have highlighted the need for an approach to biodiversity conservation that employs both ex situ and in situ techniques in a complementary manner. Though much research has focused on ex situ techniques, less progress has been made in developing methodologies for the conservation of genetic diversity in situ. The definition of in situ conservation used in the Convention on Biological Diversity encompasses two distinct processes: conservation of wild species in genetic reserves and of crops on-farm. Of these two, the latter, where the genetic diversity of crop land races is conserved within traditional farming systems, has been the less studied and remains less well understood. While there are still relatively few practical examples of on-farm genetic resources conservation, most genetic diversity of immediate and potential use to plant breeders is found among land races, and there is evidence that it is being rapidly eroded. This paper attempts to set on-farm conservation within the context of plant genetic resource conservation as a whole, to introduces a possible generalised model for the conservation of genetic diversity on-farm and to promote debate around the science of on-farm conservation.     

Genetic diversity of anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.) from Ethiopia as revealed by ISSR markers

Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) is plant endemic in Ethiopia with a high calcium content grown for its edible tuberous roots. In spite of its importance as food security crop, there is no information available on molecular genetic diversity of this crop. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity within and among 12 populations of anchote using ISSR markers. Using nine ISSR primers, a total of 87 scorable bands was generated of which 74 were polymorphic. Within population diversity based on polymorphic bands ranged from 13.8 to 43.53 % with a mean of 33.05 %, Nei’s genetic diversity of 0.04–0.156 with a mean of 0.12, Shannon information index of 0.07–0.23 with a mean of 0.175 and analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) of 51.4 % were detected. With all diversity parameters, the highest diversity was obtained from Gimbi, Bedele and Ale populations, whilst the lowest was from Manna. AMOVA showed a 48.56 % between populations variability and significantly lower than that of within population variation. Population differentiation with F_ST was 48.56 %. From Jaccard’s pairwise similarity coefficient, Decha and Nedjo were most related populations exhibiting 0.76 similarity and Manna and Nedjo were the most distantly related populations with similarity of 0.52. The only pentanucliotide primer used in the study, Primer 880 (GGAGA)3, showed a unique band in some individuals that appeared to be associated with morphological quantitative traits (lowest seed number, high protein content, largest fruit size and smallest vine length). Illubabor and Gimbi populations exhibited highest genetic diversity so that the populations should be considered as the primary sites in designing conservation areas for this crop.     

Genetic diversity and sampling strategy of Scutellaria baicalensis germplasm resources based on ISSR

Destruction in wild resource and decline in genetic diversity of Scutellaria baicalensis are becoming a big problem urgently needed be dealt in China. To help efficiently utilize and conserve this medicinal plant resources, ISSR analysis was employed to reveal genetic diversity of 107 S. baicalensis accessions consisting of 82 wild and 25 cultivated germplasm resources from 6 populations in two main producing provinces in China. Only eighteen ISSR primers that resulted in accuracy and credibility, high polymorphism, well stability PCR products were selected. The maximal and minimal bands resulted from an ISSR primer are 35 and 18 respectively with a total of 480 bands were resolved in the agarose gels with an average of two alleles per locus. As indicated by the index of genetic diversity (Na = 1.96, Ne = 1.39, He = 0.25, I = 0.39), there were richness of genetic diversity in the collected samples and that the S. baicalensis germplasm had a large representativeness as primary collection. Cluster analysis by UPGMA and STRUCTURE placed the 107-germplasm resources into three linkage clusters. The samples from all the collection locations were clustered together, but the populations from one province were not clustered together. Compared to the RS and SW strategies, the LDSS proved to be more representative for core collection construct of S. baicalensis and the best sampling ratio was 10.3 % of the total germplasms. Finally, we found that the mini core collection by LDSS was composed of 11 accessions with high genetic diversity (Na = 1.82, Ne = 1.40, He = 0.25, I = 0.39). To verify the reliability of sampling strategy, the t test was used to evaluate the representativeness between core collections (constructed by LDSS), primary and reserve collection. Our results showed that no significant difference was found in the two important genetic parameters He and I (P > 0.05), thus suggesting that the LDSS will provide a rational sampling strategy for constructing a core collection of S. baicalensis germplasm resources in the future.     

AFLP analysis of genetic diversity in leafy kale (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> L. convar. <Emphasis Type="Italic">acephala</Emphasis> (DC.) Alef.) landraces,cultivars and wild populations in Europe

AFLP markers were used to characterize diversity and asses the genetic structure among 17 accessions of kale landraces, cultivars and wild populations from Europe. The range of average gene diversity in accessions was 0.11–0.27. Several landraces showed higher levels of diversity than the wild populations and one cultivar had the lowest diversity measures. The landraces that were most genetically diverse were from areas where kales are known to be extensively grown, suggesting in situ conservation in these areas as a supplement to storage of seeds in gene banks. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 62% of the total variation was found within accessions. For most accessions, genetic distance was not related to geographic distance. Similarities among accessions were probably not caused by recent gene flow since they were widely separated geographically; more likely the relationship among them is due to seed dispersal through human interactions. Our results indicate that a kale population found in a natural habitat in Denmark was probably not truly wild but most likely an escape from a cultivated Danish kale that had subsequently become naturalized.     

Characterisation of wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) based on isoenzyme data. Considerations on the current status of this taxon in Spain

As a part of a wide project to determine the conservation status and collecting expeditions of wild plant genetic resources of genus Brassica (species n = 9) of the Iberian Peninsula, twenty-nine wild populations of Brassica oleracea L. were characterised using the isoenzymatic profiles of seeds collected from their natural habitats. The zymograms, obtained using bulking seeds, identified samples faster than other methodologies, which could be useful in seed bank management as well as the regular monitoring of the status of in situ conservation. Five isoenzymatic systems were analysed considering the electrophoretic phenotype of the whole population (not individuals). Using enzymatic bands as qualitative characters, data were evaluated using phenetic clustering methods unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages. The enzyme systems showed high polymorphism levels, and each studied population of B. oleracea showed a characteristic zymogram in each of the assayed enzyme systems. The clustering analysis using the Dice coefficient showed that most of the studied populations can be considered significantly different from each other. This study proposes a rapid screening strategy for obtaining the electrophoretic profiles of samples and comparing population patterns. Two main of conclusions can be drawn from the results of this work: (1) compared to other molecular techniques and the efficiency and reliability of isoenzyme analyses, this method appears to be a useful tool for a rapid characterisation of samples; (2) in situ observations of populations suggest that conservation status of wild B. oleracea in their natural habitat in Spain can be considered satisfactory.     

Diversity of the European indigenous wild apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) in the East Ore Mountains (Osterzgebirge), Germany: II. Genetic characterization

In the present study genetic diversity and hybridization with cultivars were investigated in a population of the endangered European wild apple species Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. with the aim to establish a basis for the implementation of conservation activities and to ensure its long-term preservation. A total of 284 putative M. sylvestris trees located in the East Ore Mountains were investigated along with a standard set of reference apple genotypes proposed by the European Cooperative Program for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) and 13 old apple cultivars often cultivated in Saxony. The genetic analysis was performed using 12 microsatellite markers also recommend by the ECPGR. To differentiate ‘true type’ M. sylvestris individuals, hybrids and apple cultivars (Malus × domestica Borkh.) a model-based cluster analysis was performed using STRUCTURE. Two clusters were identified consisting of M. sylvestris and M. × domestica genotypes. About 40 % of the putative M. sylvestris showed an admixture of the species-specific allele frequencies and were defined as hybrids. The genetic diversity of the ‘true type’ M. sylvestris population was still high but slightly lower than in the apple cultivars especially since some SSR loci were fixed on one or few alleles in the M. sylvestris population. The differentiation parameters between ‘true type’ wild apple and cultivars indicated a clear discrimination between the wild and cultivated apple individuals. This fact confirms our expectation of the existence of ‘true type’ M. sylvestris individuals in the East Ore Mountains and argues for the realization of preservation measures in this area.     

Genetic diversity of cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and its wild progenitor pale flax (Linum bienne Mill.) as revealed by ISSR markers

Little is known about the genetic diversity of pale flax (Linum bienne Mill.), the wild progenitor of cultivated flax (L. usitatissimum L.), and ex situ germplasm of pale flax was scarce. Effort was made to collect 34 pale flax accessions and five landrace accessions of cultivated flax in Turkey. The inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique was applied to characterize this set of flax germplasm, along with one Turkish cultivar, one Russian cultivar, five winter and four dehiscent type accessions of cultivated flax. Twenty-four ISSR primer pairs detected a total of 311 DNA fragments, of which 298 bands were polymorphic across 493 flax samples (roughly 10 samples per accession). These polymorphic bands had frequencies ranging from 0.002 to 0.998 and averaging 0.38. Accession-specific ISSR variation (Fst values) ranged from 0.469 to 0.514 and averaged 0.493. There was 49.3% ISSR variation resided among these 50 accessions, 35.9% harbored among landrace, winter, dehiscent types of cultivated flax and pale flax, and 38.2% present among 34 pale flax accessions. Pale flax displayed more ISSR variation than landraces and dehiscent type, but less than winter type, of cultivated flax. Clustering 493 individual plants revealed that these assayed plants were largely grouped according to their plant types and that pale flax was genetically more close to the dehiscent type, followed by the winter type and landrace, of cultivated flax. Pale flax collected within the geographic range of 180 km displayed a significant spatial genetic autocorrelation. Genetic distances among the pale flax accessions were significantly associated with their geographic distances and elevation differences. These findings are significant for understanding flax domestication and its primary gene pool.