Gliadin analysis of Elymus nutans Griseb. from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Xinjiang, China

The diversity and relationships among Elymus nutans Griseb. accessions from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Xinjiang, China, were analyzed using acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) in order to estimate the gliadin genetic variability and compare the level of diversity. The cluster analysis separated the accessions into six groups with geographical origins. The results of principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) were almost congruent with the cluster of accessions. The molecular variance analysis (amova) showed that the proportion of variance within and among the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Xinjiang regions was 68.66 and 31.34%, respectively, or 75.99 and 24.01% within and among six political provinces. The distinct geographical divergence of E. nutans was revealed between the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Xinjiang. The ecogeographical conditions such as climate and mountain ranges, genetic drift and mating system could be driving factors for genetic diversity. These results will facilitate the breeding program and germplasm collection and conservation.