Genetic Diversity Of Germplasm Research Articles

Narrow genetic diversity in germplasm from the Guinean and Sudano-Guinean zones in Benin indicates the need to broaden the genetic base of sweet fig banana (Musa acuminata cv Sotoumon).

Sweet fig (M. acuminata cv. Sotoumon) is an economically important dessert banana in Benin, with high nutritional, medicinal, and cultural values. Nevertheless, its productivity and yield are threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses. Relevant knowledge of the genetic diversity of this economically important crop is essential for germplasm conservation and the development of breeding programs. However, very little is known about the genetic makeup of this cultivar in Benin. To advance the understanding of genetic diversity in sweet fig banana germplasm, a Genotype-By-Sequencing (GBS) was performed on a panel of 273 accessions collected in different phytogeographical zones of Benin. GBS generated 8,457 quality SNPs, of which 1992 were used for analysis after filtering. The results revealed a low diversity in the studied germplasm (He = 0.0162). Genetic differentiation was overall very low in the collection as suggested by the negative differentiation index (Fstg = -0.003). The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that the variation between accessions within populations accounted for 83.8% of the total variation observed (P < 0.001). The analysis of population structure and neighbor-joining tree partitioned the germplasm into three clusters out of which a predominant major one contained 98.1% of all accessions. These findings demonstrate that current sweet fig banana genotypes shared a common genetic background, which made them vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stress. Therefore, broadening the genetic base of the crop while maintaining its quality attributes and improving yield performance is of paramount importance. Moreover, the large genetic group constitutes an asset for future genomic selection studies in the crop and can guide the profiling of its conservation strategies.

Genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and population structure of tetraploid wheat landraces originating from Europe and Asia

BackgroundDurum wheat is one of the most important crops, especially in the Mediterranean region. Insight into the genetic diversity of germplasm can improve the breeding program management in various traits. This study was done using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers to characterize the genetic distinctiveness and differentiation of tetraploid wheat landraces collected from nine European and Asian countries. A sum of 23,334 polymorphic SNPs was detected in 126 tetraploid wheat landraces in relation to the reference genome.ResultsThe number of identified SNPs was 11,613 and 11,721 in A and B genomes, respectively. The highest and lowest diversity was on 6B and 6 A chromosomes, respectively. Structure analysis classified the landraces into two distinct subpopulations (K = 2). Evaluating the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and weighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages (WPGMA) clustering results demonstrated that landraces (99.2%) are categorized into one of the two chief subpopulations. Therefore, the grouping pattern did not clearly show the presence of a clear pattern of relationships between genetic diversity and their geographical derivation. Part of this result could be due to the historical exchange between different germplasms. Although the result did not separate landraces based on their region of origin, the landraces collected from Iran were classified into the same group and cluster. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) also confirmed the results of population structure. Finally, Durum wheat landraces in some countries, including Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan, were highly diverse, while others, including Iran and China, were low-diversity.ConclusionThe recent study concluded that the 126 tetraploid wheat genotypes and their GBS-SNP markers are very appropriate for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The core collection comprises two distinct subpopulations. Subpopulation II genotypes are the most diverse genotypes, and if they possess desired traits, they may be used in future breeding programs. The degree of diversity in the landraces of countries can provide the ground for the improvement of new cultivars with international cooperation. linkage disequilibrium (LD) hotspot distribution across the genome was investigated, which provides useful information about the genomic regions that contain intriguing genes.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) For Improved Utilization

Background: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is a multipurpose short-lived perennial food legume that provides fodder and wood for small holders. However, the crop remains underutilized with limited research on its diversification and improvement. Understanding the genetic diversity in germplasm of a crop is an efficient mean for unveiling unique traits that could be exploited for enhancing genetic improvement and utilization. This study characterized pigeon pea accessions using morphological descriptors and molecular markers. Methods: Twenty pigeon pea accessions were evaluated under field conditions in a randomized complete block replicated thrice. Data collected on agro-morphological descriptors, were used to characterize the accessions. Young leaf samples collected from each accession was used for DNA extraction following CTAB standard procedure. Genetic diversity was carried out using Diversity Arrays Technology Sequence Single Nucleotide Polymorphic (DArTseq SNP) markers. Data were analysed using PCA, cluster analysis, and ANOVA at α0.05. Results: The accessions differed significantly for all morphological parameters except days to 75% maturity and seed thickness. The accessions grouped into three clusters based on the morphological traits. Out of 2934 SNPs discovered all over the pigeon pea reference genome, only 2532 SNPs were retained after filtering. They were distributed all over the eleven chromosomes of pigeon pea. Conclusion: Morphological and molecular variability exists among the accessions. The variations in morphology of seed of pigeon pea accessions is a vital trait that could be selected for further improvement necessary for enhancing consumers’ preference and utilization

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Türkiye Bread Wheat Genotypes Revealed by Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) Markers.

Wheat genotypes should be improved through available germplasm genetic diversity to ensure food security. This study investigated the molecular diversity and population structure of a set of Türkiye bread wheat genotypes using 120 microsatellite markers. Based on the results, 651 polymorphic alleles were evaluated to determine genetic diversity and population structure. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 19, with an average of 5.44 alleles per locus. Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.031 to 0.915 with a mean of 0.43. In addition, the gene diversity index ranged from 0.03 to 0.92 with an average of 0.46. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.359 with a mean of 0.124. The unbiased expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.319 with an average of 0.112. The mean values of the number of effective alleles (Ne), genetic diversity of Nei (H) and Shannon's information index (I) were estimated at 1.190, 1.049 and 0.168, respectively. The highest genetic diversity (GD) was estimated between genotypes G1 and G27. In the UPGMA dendrogram, the 63 genotypes were grouped into three clusters. The three main coordinates were able to explain 12.64, 6.38 and 4.90% of genetic diversity, respectively. AMOVA revealed diversity within populations at 78% and between populations at 22%. The current populations were found to be highly structured. Model-based cluster analyses classified the 63 genotypes studied into three subpopulations. The values of F-statistic (Fst) for the identified subpopulations were 0.253, 0.330 and 0.244, respectively. In addition, the expected values of heterozygosity (He) for these sub-populations were recorded as 0.45, 0.46 and 0.44, respectively. Therefore, SSR markers can be useful not only in genetic diversity and association analysis of wheat but also in its germplasm for various agronomic traits or mechanisms of tolerance to environmental stresses.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF WHEAT VARIETIES FOR YIELD AND RELATED TRAITS UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

This study aims to evaluate the performance of selected wheat varieties under the world's most prevalent and increasing drought conditions and to recommend suitable drought-resistant varieties to the farming community to increase yields even under stressful conditions to meet growing food needs. For this purpose, seven wheat genotypes were grown in sandy loam soil at the experimental field area of the College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur sub-campus Layyah, during 2020-21. Data were collected for the number of tillers, spikelets, flag leaf length, plant height, thousand-grain weight, spike length, and grain yield per plant. The results showed variation in the production level of wheat genotypes under control and different drought stress levels. Analysis of variance exhibited highly significant differences for all the seven characters studied. Based on mean performance Fakhar-e-Bhakkar, Gold, and Faisalabad may be top contributors to grain yield. The highest positive correlation indicates a highly significant and positive correlation between all measured morphological parameters of wheat genotypes. Path coefficient analysis recommended maximum positive direct and indirect effects on yield except for spike length. All of the genotypes performed well, even in drought conditions. However, all genotypes have some excellent features producing genetic diversity in germplasm. Therefore, these traits may be helpful for wheat breeding programs in the future.

Analysis of germplasm genetic diversity and construction of a core collection in Camellia oleifera C.Abel by integrating novel simple sequence repeat markers

Analysis of germplasm genetic diversity and construction of a core collection in Camellia oleifera C.Abel by integrating novel simple sequence repeat markers

Egyptian Cucumber Germplasm Genetic Diversity as An Approach for Developing Novel Hybrids under Heat Stress Conditions

Egyptian Cucumber Germplasm Genetic Diversity as An Approach for Developing Novel Hybrids under Heat Stress Conditions

Genetic diversity of subtropical double‐haploid maize lines selected for high oil content

AbstractThe inclusion of high‐oil maize germplasm into breeding programs may be an excellent alternative for increasing grain nutritional quality. Knowing the germplasm genetic diversity is crucial for assisting breeding programs. Here, the genetic diversity and population structure of four high‐oil‐content maize (Zea mays L.) populations (Bajio yellow population [BYP], northwestern yellow population [NYP], Bajio white population [BWP], and northwestern white population [NWP]) were analyzed by Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing. Three‐hundred ten double‐haploid (DH) lines were genotyped, and 19,078 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were uniformly detected among populations after filtering by missing data &gt;20% and minor allele frequency ≥0.05. Genetic diversity indexes showed polymorphic information content (PIC) values of 0.346, 0.352, 0.353, and 0.353; observed heterozygosity values of 0.221, 0.194, 0.284, and 0.177; and expected heterozygosity values of 0.188, 0.165, 0.219, and 0.152, for BYP, NYP, BWP, and NWP, respectively. Genetic structure results showed variations in pairwise genetic distance comparisons among the 310 DH lines, ranging from 0.119 to 0.385. Multidimensional scaling analysis and discriminant analysis of principal components grouped the DH lines into three different and five clusters, respectively, based on their origin region and grain color. On the other hand, STRUCTURE analysis revealed the presence of two different groups unrelated to grain color or origin region. The wide genetic variability among the analyzed DH lines highlights their potential to contribute new beneficial alleles into subtropical maize breeding programs and will facilitate the selection of parental lines and the identification of heterotic groups to generate high‐oil maize hybrids.

Mediterranean White Lupin Landraces as a Valuable Genetic Reserve for Breeding.

Legumes crops are important for sustainable agriculture and global food security. Among them white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), is characterized by exceptional protein content of high nutritional value, competitive to that of soybean (Glycine max) and is well adapted to rainfed agriculture. However, its high seed-quinolizidine alkaloid (QA) content impedes its direct integration to human diet and animal feed. Additionally, its cultivation is not yet intensive, remains confined to local communities and marginal lands in Mediterranean agriculture, while adaptation to local microclimates restrains its cultivation from expanding globally. Hence, modern white lupin breeding aims to exploit genetic resources for the development of “sweet” elite cultivars, resilient to biotic adversities and well adapted for cultivation on a global level. Towards this aim, we evaluated white lupin local landrace germplasm from Greece, since the country is considered a center of white lupin diversity, along with cultivars and breeding lines for comparison. Seed morphological diversity and molecular genetic relationships were investigated. Most of the landraces were distinct from cultivars, indicating the uniqueness of their genetic make-up. The presence of pauper “sweet” marker allele linked to low seed QA content in some varieties was detected in one landrace, two breeding lines, and the cultivars. However, QA content in the examined genotypes did not relate with the marker profile, indicating that the marker’s predictive power is limited in this material. Marker alleles for vernalization unresponsiveness were detected in eight landraces and alleles for anthracnose resistance were found in two landraces, pointing to the presence of promising germplasm for utilization in white lupin breeding. The rich lupin local germplasm genetic diversity and the distinct genotypic composition compared to elite cultivars, highlights its potential use as a source of important agronomic traits to support current breeding efforts and assist its integration to modern sustainable agriculture.

Frequent germplasm exchanges drive the high genetic diversity of Chinese-cultivated common apricot germplasm

The genetic diversity of germplasm is critical for exploring genetic and phenotypic resources and has important implications for crop-breeding sustainability and improvement. However, little is known about the factors that shape and maintain genetic diversity. Here, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-level reference of the Chinese common apricot ‘Yinxiangbai’, and we resequenced 180 apricot accessions that cover four major ecogeographical groups in China and other accessions from occidental countries. We concluded that Chinese-cultivated common apricot germplasms possessed much higher genetic diversity than those cultivated in Western countries. We also detected seven migration events among different apricot groups, where 27% of the genome was identified as being introgressed. Remarkably, we demonstrated that these introgressed regions drove the current high level of germplasm diversity in Chinese-cultivated common apricots by introducing different genes related to distinct phenotypes from different cultivated groups. Our results highlight the consideration that introgressed regions may provide an important reservoir of genetic resources that can be used to sustain modern breeding programs.

Multi-omics assisted identification of the key and species-specific regulatory components of drought-tolerant mechanisms in Gossypium stocksii.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important fiber crops globally, with the main cultivated species Gossypium hirsutum L. and G. barbadence L. contributing more than 90% of the total fiber production (Wang et al., 2019). However, low genetic diversity in germplasm has largely impeded the continuous improvement of cultivated cotton. Wild cotton species have desirable characters such as resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses and high-quality fiber products, which are therefore natural reservoirs for cotton genetic improvement (Wendel and Cronn, 2003).

Development of a core set of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for genetic diversity analysis and cultivar fingerprinting in cowpea

AbstractCowpea is an important legume crop worldwide. However, the diversity and relationship of current accessions remain unclear due to a lack of robust genetic information. A set of 40,089 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) adapted to the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) SNP genotyping platform were developed from the existing Illumina Cowpea iSelect Consortium Array for cowpea germplasm genetic diversity assessment and variety identification. Using the genotypic data of 299 cowpea accessions obtained from this SNP assay, a precore pool of 434 SNPs and 50 informative core SNPs was selected and validated for use in future genetic diversity analyses of cowpea germplasm. By further genotyping 75 commercial cultivars using the set of 50 core SNPs, pairwise genotype alignment and dendrogram analysis both showed that each cultivar could be uniquely identified by this core set of markers. The KASP markers developed in this study provide a flexible marker resource for both basic and applied research of cowpea. The precore SNP pool and the core SNP set also provide valuable tools for genetic variation assessment and variety rights protection for cowpea breeders.

Intelligent Characterization of Lentil Genetic Resources: Evolutionary History, Genetic Diversity of Germplasm, and the Need for Well-Represented Collections.

The genetic and phenotypic characterization of crops allows us to elucidate their evolutionary and domestication history, the genetic basis of important traits, and the use of variation present in landraces and wild relatives to enhance resilience. In this context, we aim to provide an overview of the main genetic resources developed for lentil and their main outcomes, and to suggest protocols for continued work on this important crop. Lens culinaris is the third-most-important cool-season grain and its use is increasing as a quick-cooking, nutritious, plant-based source of protein. L. culinaris was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent, and six additional wild taxa (L. orientalis, L. tomentosus, L. odemensis, L. lamottei, L. ervoides, and L. nigricans) are recognized. Numerous genetic diversity studies have shown that wild relatives present high levels of genetic variation and provide a reservoir of alleles that can be used for breeding programs. Furthermore, the integration of genetics/genomics and breeding techniques has resulted in identification of quantitative trait loci and genes related to attributes of interest. Genetic maps, massive genotyping, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection are some of the genetic resources generated and applied in lentil. In addition, despite its size (∼4 Gbp) and complexity, the L. culinaris genome has been assembled, allowing a deeper understanding of its architecture. Still, major knowledge gaps exist in lentil, and a deeper understanding and characterization of germplasm resources, including wild relatives, is critical to lentil breeding and improvement. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Recording of lentil seed descriptors Basic Protocol 2: Lentil seed imaging Basic Protocol 3: Lentil seed increase Basic Protocol 4: Recording of primary lentil seed INCREASE descriptors.

Genetic diversity is enhanced in Wild × Cultivated hybrids of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) despite multiple selection cycles for cultivated traits

Genetic diversity is enhanced by introgressing wild germplasm into breeding lines and populations. Such introgression, however, commonly introduces wild traits that must be removed by backcrossing and selection before lines are useful for elite breeding programs. Selection against wild characteristics is expected to reduce genetic diversity in introgressed lines. However, the effect of such selection on genetic diversity has not been evaluated for sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.). Therefore, genetic diversity was determined for 24 germplasm releases derived from cultivated sugarbeet × wild sea beet [B. vulgaris subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.] crosses after multiple selection cycles for cultivated traits and compared to the diversity of their wild parents and cultivated sugarbeet lines using simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis. Diversity in germplasm derived from wild × cultivated hybrids was intermediate of wild and cultivated lines in observed heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficient, and the number of alleles, private alleles, and low frequency alleles. Principal component and neighbor joining analyses demonstrated that wild × cultivated-derived germplasm shared greater similarity with cultivated germplasm than to their wild parents, while STRUCTURE analysis indicated that wild × cultivated-derived germplasm was an admixture of wild and cultivated-derived germplasm. Diversity, therefore, was enhanced in germplasm derived from wild × cultivated hybrids, although selection for cultivated traits reduced the diversity added by introgression with wild accessions. Nevertheless, the enhanced genetic diversity in germplasm releases derived from wild × cultivated hybrids identify these lines as a resource for unique genes and alleles to improve crop productivity, adaptation, and disease tolerance in sugarbeet.

Disclosing the Nutritional Quality Diversity of Portuguese Common Beans—The Missing Link for Their Effective Use in Protein Quality Breeding Programs

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) represents a sustainable and affordable source of protein, namely, to populations with vegetarian dietary habits. Despite the national germplasm genetic diversity, little is known about the Portuguese accessions’ nutritional and protein quality, leading to their underuse in breeding programs. To fill this gap, a representative collection (106 accessions) was cropped under two contrasting environments (traditional versus heat stress) and evaluated in terms of nutritional quality by near-infrared spectroscopy. Protein quality was assessed, under the stressful environment, considering the individual amino acid contents and the activity of trypsin inhibitors through mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and spectrophotometry, respectively. On top of strong genotypic control, the nutritional composition (protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash) was also highly influenced by the environment and by genotype × environment interaction, with a clear nutritional quality ranking change for the accessions in heat stress conditions. Classified into three clusters, the accessions from the cluster with the highest individual amino acid and protein contents also showed higher trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA). Since different levels of TIA had no translation into contrasting protein digestibility, breeders focusing on common beans’ protein quality improvement, especially under challenging warming climate conditions, may take advantage of this group of accessions.

Research Article Estimate of genetic diversity in germplasm of elephant grass accessions in Brazil using the Gower algorithm

Research Article Estimate of genetic diversity in germplasm of elephant grass accessions in Brazil using the Gower algorithm

A brief description on potato

Potato (Solanumtuberosum L.) is a self-pollinated annual herbaceous plant. Potato is a member of the Solanaceae family and the Solanum genus, having a basic set of 12 chromosomes (x = 12). It's a vegetable that's also utilized in businesses to make starch, alcoholic drinks, and other processed foods like French fries and chips. A fresh potato has a carbohydrate content of 16–20% and a crude protein content of 2.5–3.2 percent. Despite the fact that potatoes have a low protein content, their nutritional quality is superior than cereals. Potatoes have the ability to generate more calories and protein per unit land area with less time and water than the majority of major food crops. As a result, knowing its genetic diversity is critical for improving this crop as well as making efficient use of germplasm. Because morphological characterisation is heavily affected by the environment, diversity study based on molecular characterization is preferable. As a result, in-depth research using both morphological and molecular markers will aid in a better understanding of potato germplasm genetic diversity.

Preserving Biodiversity in Marginal Rural Areas: Assessment of Morphological and Genetic Variability of a Sicilian Common Bean Germplasm Collection.

The historical cultivation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has resulted in the development of local populations/cultivars in restricted Italian rural areas. Many common bean landraces, still cultivated in small mountain areas from Sicily, have become outdated and endangered due to the commercial varieties spreading. These accessions are poorly known but often represent a genetic heritage to be preserved and enhanced. The ex situ conservation of fifty-seven Sicilian common bean landraces was carried out at the “Living Plants Germplasm Bank” at Ucria (Messina, Italy), founded by the Nebrodi Regional Park, together with the “Sicilian Plant Germplasm Repository” of University of Palermo (SPGR/PA). To assess the germplasm genetic diversity, nineteen morphological traits and eight Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) were used. Genetic distances among landraces were calculated to construct a clustering tree by using unweighted pair group method arithmetic (UPGMA). Seed germplasm diversity of Sicilian common bean varied from 80.7% to 93.3%, based on six seed descriptors and six leaf, flower, and pod descriptors, respectively, while cluster genetic analysis depicted a clear separation among all the 57 landraces. Principal coordinates (PCoA) and STRUCTURE analyses showed a prevalent rate of admixture between Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools in Sicilian common bean collection, confirming its heterogeneity. The observed high level of diversity evidenced the needs to adopt accurate criterion to plan a definitive ex situ germplasm collection to share agrobiodiversity with local farmers and to avoid any further loss of genetic resources in rural and protected areas.

Genetic diversity among early provitamin A quality protein maize inbred lines and the performance of derived hybrids under contrasting nitrogen environments

BackgroundInformation on population structure and genetic diversity of germplasm in a breeding programme is useful because it enhances judicious utilisation of genetic resources to achieve breeding objectives. Seventy early maturing provitamin A (PVA) quality protein maize (QPM) inbreds developed by the IITA- maize improvement programme were genotyped using 8171 DArTseq markers. Furthermore, 96 hybrids derived from 24 selected inbreds plus four checks were evaluated under low-N and optimal environments in Nigeria during 2016 and 2017. Genotypic and phenotypic data of inbreds and hybrids respectively, were analysed to (i) assess the level of genetic dissimilarities and population structure of the inbreds, and (ii) investigate the grain yield performance of derived hybrids under low-N, optimal and across environments.ResultsGenetic diversity among the seventy inbreds was high varying from 0.042 to 0.500 with an average of 0.357. Sixty-six inbred lines with probabilities ≥0.70 were assigned to a single group. The population structure analysis, the UPGMA phylogeny, and the principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) of the DArTseq markers revealed a clear separation of five groups and each followed pedigree records. Clustered inbreds displayed common characteristics including high PVA levels, and drought and low-N tolerance. The top performing hybrid, TZEIORQ 40 × TZEIORQ 26 out-yielded the best hybrid control, TZEIOR 127 × TZEIOR 57 by 8, 3, and 9% under low-N, optimal, and across environments, respectively. High repeatability estimates were detected for grain yield under each and across environments. Similarly, high breeding efficiency of 71, 70 and 72% were computed under low-N, optimal, and across environments, respectively.ConclusionsThe UPGMA clustering, the structure analysis, and the PCoA consistently revealed five groups which largely followed pedigree information indicating the existence of genetically distinct groups in the inbred lines. High repeatability and breeding efficiency values estimated for grain yield of hybrids under low-N, optimal and across environments demonstrated that high productive hybrids could be developed using inbreds from the opposing clusters identified by the DArTseq markers. The 15 top performing hybrids identified, particularly TZEIORQ 40 × TZEIORQ 26 and TZEIORQ 29 × TZEIORQ 43 should be further evaluated for release and commercialization in SSA.

Mixing source populations increases genetic diversity of restored rare plant populations

The genetic diversity of germplasm used in reintroduction and restoration efforts can influence how resulting populations establish, reproduce, and evolve over time, particularly in disturbed and changing conditions. Regional admixture provenancing, mixing seeds derived from multiple populations within the same region as the target site, has been suggested to produce genetically diverse germplasm. Yet little empirical evidence shows how genetic diversity in germplasm resulting from this approach compares to source populations, or how it varies in restored populations. Here, we use neutral molecular markers to follow genetic diversity through production and use of germplasm when mixing multiple source populations in nursery production beds. Castilleja levisecta is a rare species experiencing inbreeding depression in remaining populations, with a federal recovery plan requiring the re‐establishment of populations in areas where it has been extirpated. Specifically, we track diversity from wild‐collected source populations through different production approaches and reintroductions using two propagule types. We show that measures of genetic diversity, inbreeding, and relatedness change during the production and use of material produced with a regional admixture provenancing approach, with the step at which source populations are mixed and germplasm type used influencing whether all source populations are equally represented. While genetic diversity increased throughout the process, inbreeding and relatedness increased in nursery production beds but decreased in reintroductions, with the lowest inbreeding and relatedness in populations restored using seeds rather than plugs. The results highlight the importance of taking an integrated approach informed by research when planning and implementing reintroductions with mixed‐source germplasm.