Phenotypic and genetic diversity of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) populations from Northern Mexico

AbstractBlue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths] is considered one of the most important grasses for restoration in Northern Mexico. Due to the low availability of seeds in Mexico, most of the blue grama seeds used for restoration have been imported, increasing costs and establishment failures. This study assessed the phenotypic and genetic diversity of 41 blue grama populations from Northern Mexico to generate knowledge about the local blue grama genetic diversity and to select genotypes with high productive potential. Three plants per population were collected and transplanted in a nursery. During the third and fourth years after the plant establishment, twelve morphological variables were measured to assess the phenotypic variation. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed to assess genetic diversity. In general, high phenotypic and molecular diversities were found. Morphological variables with the highest inter-population variation coefficient (VC) were for...