Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 80-88 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 85 7 Genetic Diversity and Conservation 7.1 Assessment of genetic diversity Aziz et al. (2020) analyzed 48 wild Punica granatum samples from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region of Pakistan using 41 SSR markers and found significant genetic differences among the samples. On average, 7.39 alleles were detected for each marker, the average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.54, and the genetic distance between genotypes ranged from 0.27 to 0.74, indicating rich genetic variations. Zarei and Sahraroo (2018) studied 50 samples using 16 SSR markers and found that the average expected heterozygosity was 0.33, while the actual observed heterozygosity was 0.48. They also detected multiple specific alleles, indicating that the genetic diversity of Punica granatum in Fars Province, Iran, is relatively high. Mahajan et al. (2018) analyzed 20 Punica granatum varieties using 17 SSR markers and discovered 29 alleles, with an average of 1.71 at each locus, indicating significant genetic differences between cultivated and wild varieties. 7.2 Conservation strategies Zarei and Sahraroo (2018) identified some specific alleles and classified different genotypes based on geographical locations, indicating that unique genetic materials in some regions require focused protection. In vitro protection is also an effective method. Parashuram et al. (2022) systematically maintained genetic diversity by analyzing the morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of 40 samples and dividing them into 8 groups. Liu et al. (2020) utilized SSR markers to select 42 samples with strong representativeness from 218 Punica granatum genotypes and established a core germplasm bank, which could retain most of the genetic information without preserving all the samples. Aziz et al. (2020) indicated that in-situ conservation in regions rich in genetic diversity such as Azad Jammu and Kashmir is an important means to protect wild Punica granatum and their natural environment. 7.3 Utilization of genetic resources Patil et al. (2020) argued that SSR markers discovered in genome-wide studies are useful for mark-assisted selection and QTL localization. The genetic diversity data collected from different regions can be used to introduce new traits and improve existing varieties (Zarei and Sahraroo, 2018). Parashuram et al. (2022) demonstrated that the combination of morphological, biochemical and molecular data can ensure that different characteristics are taken into account during breeding. Phylogenetic analysis of Punica granatum populations also revealed significant genetic differences and kinship among samples from different regions, providing strong support for the breeding of new Punica granatum varieties with better characteristics (Youssef et al., 2018; Sevindik and Efe, 2021). 8 Challenges and Future Directions 8.1 Current limitations in genetic studies The chloroplast genome diversity of Punica granatum is relatively low, and its role in studying genetic diversity becomes limited (Yan et al., 2019). Although SSR markers have been developed, they are still in the early stage as a whole. Many markers have not been deeply studied and widely used (Liu et al., 2020; Patil et al., 2020). The complexity of the genetic structure of Punica granatum themselves makes genetic analysis and breeding work more difficult (Patil et al., 2021). At present, there are relatively few cases that combine morphological, biochemical and molecular data for comprehensive research. Such integrated analysis remains a difficulty point (Parashuram et al., 2022). 8.2 Technological advances and opportunities Chang et al. (2019) hold that the application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology has opened a new door for the functional gene research of Punica granatum, making it more accurate to modify genes and discover new functional genes. The development of high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis tools enables researchers to better identify SSR markers on a genome-wide scale and improve the research accuracy of genetic diversity (Youssef et al., 2018; Patil et al., 2020). The complete sequencing of the chloroplast genome of Punica granatum also provides important clues for studying its phylogenetic relationship in the Lythaceae family,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==