Morphological and molecular characterization of selected species belonging to the genus Silphium
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59463/9gxfez85Keywords:
genetic diversity, cup plant, molecular polymorphism, interspecific diversity, phenotypic traitsAbstract
This study seeks to characterize and compare three Silphium species — S. perfoliatum, S. integrifolium var. larvae, and S. laciniatum — employing both morphological and molecular markers. Distinctive features among the species were observed through morphological analysis, highlighting variations in leaf morphology, stem architecture, and inflorescence attributes. Molecular diversity was evaluated using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification with Directed Amplification of Minisatellites DNA (DAMD) and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers, which generated reliable and polymorphic banding profiles. The profiles revealed genetic differences between species, matching their morphological variations. Molecular data confirmed their taxonomic separation and indicated moderate genetic divergence within the genus. Combining morphology and molecular analysis provided a thorough view of Silphium diversity and its relevance for future breeding and conservation efforts. These findings indicate that integrating phenotypic and molecular tools contributes to plant characterization and suggests that Silphium species may be suitable for research focused on perennial crop development and biodiversity conservation.
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