Genetic Diversity and Population Genetics of Peony Species

The genus Paeonia encompasses a rich assemblage of ornamental, medicinal and oil‐bearing plants distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Studies of genetic diversity within and among peony populations have employed a suite of molecular markers—most notably simple sequence repeats (SSRs), chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—to characterise allelic variation, infer patterns of gene flow and resolve population structure. Across wild and cultivated taxa, moderate to high levels of heterozygosity are commonly reported, reflecting both historical dispersal events and recent breeding practices. Population genetic analyses often reveal isolation by distance, geographic barriers shaping intraspecific fragmentation, and distinct genetic clusters corresponding to centres of diversity or domestication. Insights into genetic differentiation and phylogeographic history have informed conservation management, guiding the delineation of genetic management units and the prioritisation of in situ and ex situ strategies. Meanwhile, domestication‐related studies have elucidated multiple origins of cultivation and long‐distance introductions, providing a genetic framework for future breeding and resource deployment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Investigations into the emerging oil crop Paeonia ostii have employed transcriptome‐derived SSR markers to survey nearly 900 individuals across China. This work uncovered moderate overall genetic diversity and identified multiple well‐separated gene pools, suggesting independent domestication events in key provinces. Bayesian clustering and historical records together point to several long‐distance introductions following initial cultivation, establishing P. ostii as a model for exploring domestication dynamics and as a reference for genetic improvement of oil‐bearing peonies.

Genetic Diversity and Population Genetics of Peony Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic diversity and population genetics of peony species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR): A tandemly repeated DNA motif of 1–6 base pairs used as a co‐dominant marker to assess genetic variation.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP): A single‐base change in the DNA sequence that serves as a high‐resolution marker for population genetics.

Heterozygosity (He, Ho): Measures of genetic diversity indicating, respectively, the expected and observed proportions of heterozygous individuals at a locus.

Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA): A statistical framework partitioning genetic variation within and among populations.

STRUCTURE analysis: A Bayesian clustering method that assigns individuals to genetic groups based on multilocus genotype data.

Gene flow (Nm): The estimated number of migrants exchanged per generation, reflecting connectivity among populations.

References

1. Genetic analyses reveal independent domestication origins of the emerging oil crop Paeonia ostii, a tree peony with a long-term cultivation history. Scientific Reports (2017).
2. Germplasm resources and genetic breeding of Paeonia: a systematic review. Horticulture Research (2020).
3. Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered species Paeonia decomposita endemic to China and implications for its conservation. BMC Plant Biology (2020).
4. Genetic Diversity of Paeonia rockii (Flare Tree Peony) Germplasm Accessions Revealed by Phenotypic Traits, EST-SSR Markers and Chloroplast DNA Sequences. Forests (2020).