Genetic diversity studies of Trifolium species from the extremes of the UK

Crop wild relatives have been identified as ecologically and economically important plant genetic resources but are often a neglected resource. The recognition of the need for their specific conservation and their value for future use has been strengthened by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, both of which have been ratified by the UK. This thesis provides a detailed view of the ecological, geographic and genetic background to three crop wild relative species, Trifolium dubium, T. pratense and T. repens, of which the latter two are amongst some of the most economically important legume species in the UK. Assessments of ecogeography, amplified fragment polymorphism and single nucleotide polymorphism markers were employed to investigate the distribution of variation in these species across the UK, including outlying island sites. Based on this information it was possible to look for isolation by distance in populations in UK; identify areas containing unique variation; assess the conservation importance of island sites surrounding the UK and speculate on the causes of the observed patterns of diversity. Conservation recommendations were based on the cumulative data from this research to identify how the recommendations change with an increased focus on genetic diversity. These results provide insights into the use of different types of background information when setting conservation plans in widespread species, contributing to the development of conservation strategies for widespread species in general.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

d_ph

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

d_ph

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Birmingham

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Hargreaves, Serene

• QK Botany
• QH426 Genetics
• QH301 Biology