T.V. Tam et al. (2018). Identification of Vietnamese Native Rhododendron and Enklanthus Species of Ericaceae Family based on Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sequence

T.V. Tam, D.V. Dong, D.V. Lam, T.H. Anh, N.D. Van, D.M. Trung,  T.D. Duong, K.H. Trung, N.T. Duong, T.D. Khanh (2018). Identification of Vietnamese Native Rhododendron and Enkianthus Species of Ericaceae Family Based on Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sequence. Journal of Horticulture and Plant Research Submitted:2018-03-27 ISSN: 2624-814X, Vol. 2, pp 33-42.

Abstract

The genus Rhododendron and Enkianthus are belonging the Ericaceae family. In Vietnam there have diversified with about 80 species, of which more rhododendrons 30 species with beautiful flowers, and two of  Enkianthus species, widely distributed across the regions of the country. In this study, twelve Vietnamese native Rhododendron and Enkianthus species collected from Yen Tu, Quang Ninh province were identified based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Comparison on sequencing among 12 Vietnamese native Rhododendron and Enkianthus with world's Rhododendron and Enkianthus species, we have determined the accurate same pattern the 5/10 species by recognition molecule forms such as DQ2, DQ5, DQ6, DQ7, DQ8 and five species as DQ1, DQ9, DQ10, DQ11 and  DQ12 were determined in genus Rhododendron species. Two varieties of Enkianthus as DQ3 and DQ4 were identified as Enkianthus quinqueflorus. Although the species is still limited but the ITS sequences application revealed the strength of promotion of universal DNA barcode in the delimitation of species and subspecies level for plant group flowering. 

Keywords: Rhododendron, Ericaceae family, Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences, DNA barcode.