Development of SNP Markers and Core Collection Construction of Berberis L. Based on SLAF-Seq in Xinjiang, China

Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) are important medicinal and edible plants in Xinjiang, China, and genetic diversity research and the construction of core collection will help to elucidate the genetic background of Berberis L. and is of great significance for exploitation and utilisation. In this study, 150 samples of Berberis L. from Xinjiang in China were used for Sequencing of Specific Locus Amplified Fragments (SLAF-seq), obtaining 207,786 SNP markers, of which 36,353 had integrity > 0.5 and minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.05. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on these high-quality SNPs, which divided Berberis L. into three groups. Further, we divided them into five groups through population structure analysis. Extensive genetic exchange was observed among Berberis L. from different regions. Core Hunter II software was used to screen 45 core collections from 150 Berberis L., which could represent 99.8% genetic diversity of Berberis L. in Xinjiang, China. The core collection in Tekes and Wensu had the largest distribution, which can be used as key conservation areas to provide basic materials for the conservation and utilisation of Berberis L. in Xinjiang, China.