A study on population genetic structure of Oryza meyeriana (Zoll. et Mor. ex Steud.) Baill. from Yunnan and its in situ conservation significance

In order to determine genetic diversity of Oryza meyeriana (Zoll. et Mor. e x Steud.) Baill., 12 enzyme systems encoded by 17 loci were electrophoretic ally analyzed in 164 individuals of seven populations from Simao Prefecture , Yunnan Province, China. In comparison with those seed plants with the sam e life history and breeding systems, as well as the other species in the ge nus Oryza, the species shows rather low levels of genetic diversity(A =1.1, P=8.0%, Ho=0.004 and He=0.015) within populations and high generic differe ntiation among populations. F-ST was UP to 0.649, suggesting that 64.9% of total genetic variability exists among populations. Considering high geneti c differentiation among populations from a limited geographic region, most of the populations of the species are worth being protected, and therefore, great natural protection regions should theoretically be established in wh ich a great deal of populations should be involved for developing in situ c onservation management. Meanwhile, some priory localities for in situ conse rvation of O, meyeriana in Yunnan Province, were proposed.