Two-Year Estimates of Mating System in Seed Orchard of Pinus densiflora Revealed by cpSSR and nSSR Markers

Abstract

Nuclear SSR (nSSR) and chloroplast SSR (cpSSR) markers were analyzed to assess the parameters of mating system in seed orchard, such as outcrossing rates, the number of potential pollen contributors, paternal contribution rates, degree of pollen contamination, and biparental inbreeding (). In 2006, 2007, seeds were collected from the seed orchard of Pinus densiflora, established in 1977 at Anmyeon island. Estimates of outcrossing rates ranged from 94.9 to 100% (mean 98.9%) in 2006 and from 91.2 to 100% (mean 97.7%) in 2007 on the basis of the analysis of cpSSR haplotypes and from 90.3 to 100% (mean 95.9%) in 2006 and from 81.6 to 100% (mean 95.3%) in 2007 on the basis of the analysis of nSSR genotypes. By cross checking of both DNA markers, mean cumulative outcrossing rates of 100% and 98.9% were estimated in each year. Mean contamination rates were estimated as 48.9% and 42.4%, respectively. On the basis of cpSSR haplotype observed in each seed, paternal contribution rates (the number of pollen contributors) were estimated as 0.458 (mean 16.2) in 2006 and 0.512 (mean 14.8) in 2007. In conclusion, considering pretty high level of outcrossing rates observed in a seed orchard, there might be little to be influenced by inbreeding depression for genetic potential of the seeds induced by selfing. Estimates of the mating system parameters obtained from the two reproductive years were not statistically different, which revealed stable genetic quality of seeds produced in different years. Observed results from this study may provide useful information for the management and establishment of the seed orchard of the progressive generation.