Knowledge of the underlying level structure and origin of genetic
variation within and between plant populations is crucial for
scientific approaches to their utilization and conservation
(Yeh1989; Hamrick 1993). Determinants of the level and structure of genetic variation within plant species include mating
system evolutionary history life-history characteristics population density and mechanisms of gene flow (Schaal 1980;
Loveless and Hamrick 1984; Hamrick et al. 1992; Loveless 1992). In addition to the within-species issues potentially complex interactions among species must be considered
(Rieseberg and Brunsfeld 1992; Rieseberg and Wendel 1993).
Although morphological characters and various production
traits have traditionally been used to characterize levels and
patterns of diversity these traits alone represent only a small
portion of the genome and are also influenced by environmental
factors thereby limiting their utility in describing the potentially
complex genetic structures which may exist within and among
taxa (Avise 1994).
Publication year
1996
Authors
Dawson, I.K.; Chamberlain, J.R.
Keywords
Molecular markers, Genetic variation, Gliricidia, Gliricidia sepium
