Distribution and infraspecific diversity of little-pod false flax (Camelina microcarpa, Brassicaceae) in Ukraine

Abstract

False flax (Camelina sativa, Brassicaceae), an emerging biofuel oilseed crop, demonstrates a very limited genetic diversity, which conditioned the high scientific interest to its closest wild relative, C. microcarpa, which is suitable for interspecific hybridization with C. sativa. However, C. microcarpa (as currently understood) is a genetically non-uniform and morphologically variable species that consists of several distinct ribotypes and cytotypes with varying ploidy levels. Little-pod false flax diversity remains understudied in Ukraine, despite the country is one of genetic diversity hotspots of this species. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to clarify the distribution patterns of C. microcarpa and its various infraspecific forms in Ukraine, based on the collections of the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW). In particular, it has been demonstrated that C. microcarpa occurs at present over the almost whole territory of Ukraine and is represented by two distinct hexaploid cytotypes, as well as by two Western-type ribotypes (W1 and W2).The obtained results clarify the actual distribution range of C. microcarpa in Ukraine and for the first time allows to delineate its various forms there, which in the future can be used for further studies of the population structure of representatives of C. microcarpa in Ukraine.