Isoenzyme Variation and Genetic Relationships among Sclerochloa dura, Dactylis glomerata and Puccinellia distans (Poaceae - Poeae)

Abstract

Five enzyme systems were employed to reveal the variation within natural populations of S. dura (L.) Beauv., D. glomerata L. and P. distans (L.) Parl. The aim was to evaluate their affinities in attempt to shed light on genetic and systematic relationships among the respective genera. Two measures of phenetic similarity (DCD and Ih) were used to assess the afiinities among the taxa examined. The results demonstrated that S. dura is most distantly related to D. glomerata within the studied group. On the other hand, S. dura and P. distans exhibited the closest affinity. The systematic position of genus Sclerochloa within tribe Poeae is briefly discussed.