Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Genetic Relationship of Leibo Wild Tea Resources

Purpose The purpose was to understand and utilize the resources of Leibo wild tea tree and explore its evolutionary status.

Method We systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of Leibo wild tea and their genetic relationship with other five wild tea tree populations based on SSR fluorescent-labeled primers combined with capillary electrophoresis detection technology in this study for the first time.

Result A total of 89 alleles and 221 genotypes were detected in 108 samples with 15 pairs of SSR markers. Among the 50 Leibo tea tree samples, 76 alleles, 29 private alleles and 143 genotypes were detected. When compared by population, the alleles number (76), genotypes per marker (9.533 3), genetic diversity (0.597 6) and polymorphism information content (PIC, 0.545 5) of Leibo wild tea were the highest among the seven tea populations. The genetic distance between different wild tea tree populations was 0.081 8-0.255 2. The closest population to Leibo wild tea is Sichuan Dayi wild tea, followed by Yingjing, while the farthest is Yunnan Fengqing wild tea population. Individual cluster analysis of 108 samples showed that most of Leibo wild tea samples were clustered together, but a small number of individual plants were dispersed in five Sichuan wild tea tree groups, and the cultivated tea tree varieties were far from the wild-type tea trees.

Conclusion The Leibo wild tea tree population has rich genetic diversity, and the results of this study laid the foundation for further development and utilization of this wild tea resource.