A Sampling Strategy to Develop a Primary Core Collection of Miscanthus spp. in China Based on Phenotypic Traits

Core collections can act as a genetic germplasm resource for biologists and breeders. Thirty-seven phenotypic traits from 471 Miscanthus accessions in China were used to design 203 sampling schemes screen the variations different strategies. The was analyzed using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) Euclidean distance (Euclid). Several parameters including variance of value (VPV), Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H), coefficient variation (CV), frequency (VPF), ratio phenotype retained (RPR), difference percentage (MD%) (VD%), range coincidence rate (CR%) variable quantitative (VR%) evaluate level representation primary core developed by schemes. Based on optimal strategies prior selecting accessions, collection constructed that maintained > 99.5% VPV CR% 100%. This study indicates scheme consisted deviation methods (PD) combined logarithmic proportional strategy (LG) 37.4% actual ratio. Sampling before clustering improve several H, CV, RPR, VPF, CR%. (G), square root (SG) whilst constant (C) RPR VPF when scale >30%. Furthermore, (P) VPV.