Genetic variation of Zoysia as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and isozyme pattern

One hundred and thirty one clones of Zoysia spp. collected from 59 sites on the coasts of Taiwan and its neighboring islets were analyzed using both random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and isozymes to reveal their genetic variation. In the RAPD analysis with 12 primers, a total of 92 polymorphic bands which could distinguish 131 genotypes were found. There were 19 polymorphic bands and 81 zymogram patterns for esterase, and 9 bands and 10 patterns for acid phosphatase, respectively. Cluster analysis by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) of RAPD data indicated that clones collected from the same geographic region were clustered together. However, isozyme data showed discordant patterns. Interestingly, both RAPD data and isozyme fingerprinting revealed less correlation with the intuitive taxonomic classification of tested clones, but more related to the specific adaptation to the geographic or geologic aspects of their habitats.