Genetic Dissimilarity in Conyza sumatrensis Revealed by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers

ABSTRACT: In view of the rapid evolution of Conyza sumatrensis populations resistant to glyphosate, it is necessary to understand the genetic diversity aimed to improve strategies for managing this weed. We investigated the genetic dissimilarity among 15 biotypes of C. sumatrensis from different geographic regions using microsatellite loci. The biotypes, were cultivated in a greenhouse to obtain vegetal material for DNA extraction. Nineteen microsatellite markers (SSR), were developed for C. sumatrensis biotypes. The genetic dissimilarity was estimated by the Jaccard coefficient (JC) and the biotypes grouped by the UPGMA method. The results demonstrated a high dissimilarity (JC = 7.14 to 82.62) of the analyzed material, with the biotypes forming five groups, being one group formed just by the susceptible biotype and in the others grouped by biotypes from distinct locations in the same group The high genetic diversity of C. sumatrensis indicates that the biotypes may show different responses to different management strategies, and that the mechanisms of resistance to herbicides and characteristics of evolution of populations due to adaptability may be some of the factors involved in the genetic variability of the species.