Genetic diversity of European Miscanthus species revealed by AFLP fingerprinting

The genetic diversity of European species of Miscanthus was analyzed by AFLP technique. The genetic similarity based on six primer combinations yielded about 200 data points. The plant material included 11 clones of M. sinensis, 2 clones of M. sacchariflorus and 31 accessions of M. x giganteus. Furthermore 4 hybrids were created by crossing M. sinensis with M. sacchariflorus clones. Two clusters were found represented by M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus clones. The M. x giganteus accessions clustered under M. sacchariflorus. A very low genetic diversity was found in the M. x giganteus pool. No polymorphism was detected between micro- and rhizome-propagated M. x giganteus accessions. Many of the M. sacchariflorus clones sampled in Botanical Gardens turned out to be M. x giganteus clones. In the hybridization of M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus material, self-fertilization of the M. sinensis clones was determined by application of the AFLP technique. In the M. sinensis pool a typical diversification of hybrids was detected according to ornamental selection by horticulture breeders. The AFLP technique is an adequate and powerful tool to evaluate genetic diversification, to analyse the success of hybridizations and to find wrong classifications.