Clonal structure in a dwarf bamboo (Sasa senanensis) population inferred from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints were used to reveal clonal structure of a dense population of dwarf bamboo, Sasa senanensis, in a 10-ha study plot at Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano, Japan. We generated AFLP fingerprints for 51 leaf samples, collected at 50 m intervals, using three selective primer pairs. A total of 135-166 fragments were detected per sample, and 22 different fingerprints were identified based on 24-83 differing fragments. Our results demonstrate that the S. senanensis population in our plot consists of at least 22 clones and that the largest single clone occurs over a distance of about 300 m. Furthermore, the clone distribution pattern implies a relationship between site quality and clonal structure.