Genetic Diversity of Tulipa alberti and T. greigii Populations from Kazakhstan Based on Application of Expressed Sequence Tag Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

The genus <i>Tulipa</i> L., renowned for its ornamental and ecological significance, encompasses a diversity of species primarily concentrated in the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay Mountain ranges. With its varied landscapes, Kazakhstan harbors 42 <i>Tulipa</i> species, including the endangered <i>Tulipa alberti</i> Regel and <i>Tulipa greigii</i> Regel, which are critical for biodiversity yet face significant threats from human activities. This study aimed to assess these two species' genetic diversity and population structure using 15 expressed sequence tag simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers. Leaf samples from 423 individuals across 23 natural populations, including 11 populations of <i>T. alberti</i> and 12 populations of <i>T. greigii</i>, were collected and genetically characterized using EST-SSR markers. The results revealed relatively high levels of genetic variation in <i>T. greigii</i> compared to <i>T. alberti</i>. The average number of alleles per locus was 1.9 for <i>T. alberti</i> and 2.8 for <i>T. greigii</i>. AMOVA indicated substantial genetic variation within populations (75% for <i>T. alberti</i> and 77% for <i>T. greigii</i>). The Bayesian analysis of the population structure of the two species indicated an optimal value of K = 3 for both species, splitting all sampled populations into three distinct genetic clusters. Populations with the highest level of genetic diversity were identified in both species. The results underscore the importance of conserving the genetic diversity of <i>Tulipa</i> populations, which can help develop strategies for their preservation in stressed ecological conditions.