Determination of the genetic diversity and population structure of Vaccinium uliginosum in Northeast China based on the chloroplast mat K gene and EST-SSRseq molecular markers

Vaccinium uliginosum Linn. is an important wild fruit resource in China. It is primarily distributed throughout the forest regions of Da Xing’an, Xiao Xing’an, and Changbai Mountains. However, to the best of our knowledge, its genetic diversity and structure have not been reported yet. In this study, 378 wild V. uliginosum samples from 12 different populations were analyzed for genetic diversity and structure using chloroplast mat K and expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat high-throughput sequencing (EST-SSRseq) molecular markers. The results indicated that the level of genetic diversity in the natural populations of Chinese V. uliginosum was low, genetic variation was noted among the populations, and genetic differentiation among the populations was not apparent. Based on STRUCTURE analysis, the 12 analyzed populations were divided into two subgroups, Da Xing’an and Changbai Mountains, and only a small amount of gene exchange was observed between these subgroups. Geographical isolation and asexual reproduction were the primary reasons for the low genetic diversity. Thus, a combination of in situ protection and artificial domestic cultivation may help protect wild V. uliginosum .