Abstract
Summary Leymus chinensis is an economically and ecologically important grass that is widely distributed across eastern areas of the Eurasian steppe. A better knowledge of genetic diversity of L. chinensis could be valuable in the efficient utilization, conservation and management of germplasm collections. Genetic diversity in thirty‐seven morphological characters of 293 accessions was assessed in three successive years. Based on these qualitative and quantitative characters, the genetic diversity indices (Shannon indices) of traits and geographical populations were estimated, and a principal coordinates analysis and a path analysis were undertaken. Compared with the yellow‐green type of L. chinensis, the grey‐green type had significantly (P < 0·05) more genetic diversity. In addition, the path analysis suggested that the combined effects of genetic diversity and vegetative traits could explain 0·206 of the total variance in plant reproductive traits. The highest Shannon genetic diversity index of accessions (H = 2·252) was observed in accessions from the region of longitude of 124–128°E, suggesting the most abundant germplasm of L. chinensis in this region.
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