Genetic Diversity in Some Introduced Pasture Grass Cultivars Revealed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) Markers: Detailed Overview

This study was focused on studying the genetic diversity among pasture grass cultivars using intersimple
sequence repeats (ISSR) markers to determine their genetic background. Six grass cultivars
were used in this study: two perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars (Aries and Quartet), two
endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars (Fawn and K5666v) and two
orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivars (Tekapo and Niva). Analysis of the 15 selected ISSR
primers among the six grass cultivars generated 77 bands, 66 (85.7%) of which were polymorphic.
The two perennial ryegrasses cultivars (Aries and Quartet) were distinguished by a 600-bp
amplification fragment produced by primer UBC807. The 500-bp amplification fragment was produced
by primer UBC825, which was distinguished in Niva, but absent in Tekapo-orchard grass.
Furthermore, Fawn-tall fescue was distinguished by a 400-bp amplification fragment produced by
primer UBC825. The minimum genetic similarity (GS) value was obtained between the two orchard
grass cultivars (Niva and Tekapo), while the maximum GS value was obtained between the two
perennial ryegrasses cultivars (Aries and Quartet).