Germplasm evaluation and differentiation in Polygonatum kingianum via chloroplast genome resources
- 1College of Pharmaceutical Science, Dali University
- 2International Joint Laboratory for the Development and Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in Yunnan Province
- 3College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University
Abstract
Introduction: Polygonatum kingianum (PK) is an important medicinal crop with diverse germplasm that is difficult to distinguish morphologically, particularly at early developmental stages. Misidentification can lead to inappropriate regional cultivation and yield losses when germplasm is introduced into unsuitable environments. Although chloroplast (cp) genomes provide abundant sequence information, variation among PK germplasm groups has not been systematically translated into practical markers for authentication.
Methods: Here, 39 cp genomes representing seven PK germplasm groups and five related Polygonatum species were comparatively analyzed to characterize genomic variation and develop PCR-based markers.
Results: Rather than extensive structural divergence, the genomes exhibited localized sequence variation. In an expanded dataset of 118 PK cp genomes, 1,247 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 263 indels were identified, with higher variant densities in the single-copy regions than in the inverted repeats. Integration of comparative alignments, nucleotide-diversity profiles, and locus-specific differences identified five regions: ycf2, clpP, rps7-trnV, atpF-atpH , and ycf4-cemA for marker development. Six primer pairs showed 100% amplification and sequencing success in the tested samples and collectively distinguished the tested PK germplasm groups and related Polygonatum species. Phylogenomic analyses further resolved PK as a distinct lineage within sect. Verticillata and revealed cp differentiation among PK germplasm.
Discussion: These findings show that cp genomic variation provides additional molecular resources for PK germplasm authentication and characterization and may support the evaluation and utilization of medicinal crop genetic resources.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026germplasm,
title = {{Germplasm evaluation and differentiation in Polygonatum kingianum via chloroplast genome resources}},
author = {Rong Liu and Haili Zhao and Jianhong Xie and Liyan Liang and Jing Wang and Xinping Li and Binbin Liao and Baozhong Duan},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1971675},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1971675/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Germplasm evaluation and differentiation in Polygonatum kingianum via chloroplast genome resources
AU - Rong Liu
AU - Haili Zhao
AU - Jianhong Xie
AU - Liyan Liang
AU - Jing Wang
AU - Xinping Li
AU - Binbin Liao
AU - Baozhong Duan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1971675
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1971675/full
AB - Introduction: Polygonatum kingianum (PK) is an important medicinal crop with diverse germplasm that is difficult to distinguish morphologically, particularly at early developmental stages. Misidentification can lead to inappropriate regional cultivation and yield losses when germplasm is introduced into unsuitable environments. Although chloroplast (cp) genomes provide abundant sequence information, variation among PK germplasm groups has not been systematically translated into practical markers for authentication. Methods: Here, 39 cp genomes representing seven PK germplasm groups and five related Polygonatum species were comparatively analyzed to characterize genomic variation and develop PCR-based markers. Results: Rather than extensive structural divergence, the genomes exhibited localized sequence variation. In an expanded dataset of 118 PK cp genomes, 1,247 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 263 indels were identified, with higher variant densities in the single-copy regions than in the inverted repeats. Integration of comparative alignments, nucleotide-diversity profiles, and locus-specific differences identified five regions: ycf2, clpP, rps7-trnV, atpF-atpH , and ycf4-cemA for marker development. Six primer pairs showed 100% amplification and sequencing success in the tested samples and collectively distinguished the tested PK germplasm groups and related Polygonatum species. Phylogenomic analyses further resolved PK as a distinct lineage within sect. Verticillata and revealed cp differentiation among PK germplasm. Discussion: These findings show that cp genomic variation provides additional molecular resources for PK germplasm authentication and characterization and may support the evaluation and utilization of medicinal crop genetic resources.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -