Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.3, 99-109 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 100 Correlation analysis between phenotypic traits and environmental factors, can also reveal the adaptability and potential of different germplasms under variable environmental conditions (Wang et al., 2020). Genotype diversity is the basis for the evolutionary potential and adaptability of Sapindus populations (Liu et al., 2025). Molecular marker analyses (such as SSR and ISSR) reveal rich genetic variations within and outside the Sapindus genus, which are important for establishing core germplasm banks and identifying genetic factors related to important traits (Sun et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2022). High levels of genotype diversity help discover new alleles, and support marker-assisted selection, accelerating the breeding of superior cultivated varieties. This study attempts to reveal the correlation, between phenotypic traits and genotype diversity, in Sapindus germplasm resources. By integrating agronomic morphological assessment with molecular marker analysis, the study will describe the range of phenotypic and genotypic variations, screen out dominant germplasm materials suitable for breeding, and reveal the genetic structure and adaptive potential of the Sapindus population, providing a theoretical basis for the protection, and sustainable utilization of Sapindus germplasm resources. This study will provide references for breeding strategies, enhance the level of resource management, and promote the innovation and sustainable development of the Sapindus related industry. 2 Distribution and Characteristics of Sapindus Germplasm Resources 2.1 Geographical distribution and ecological adaptability Plants of the Saponus genus, including S. saponaria, are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The main populations are concentrated in East and Southeast Asia, North and South America, as well as some areas of Africa and Australia (Liu et al., 2021; 2022). In Asia, S. mukorossi, S. delavayi and S. rarak are mainly distributed in China, India and neighboring countries, while S. saponaria is more common in the Americas (Liu et al., 2021). Due to their economic and ecological value, these species have also been introduced to new regions. The environmental adaptability of Sapindus germplasm resources is relatively strong, and its suitable growth environment usually meets the following conditions: The minimum temperature of the coldest month is -20 °C - 20 °C, the soil moisture content is 40-140 mm, the average temperature of the driest season is 20 °C - 25 °C, and the soil pH value is between 5.6-7.6 (Liu et al., 2021; Li et al., 2021; 2022). For instance, S. mukorossi is suitable for warm and humid climates and low-altitude areas, while S. delavayi is more sensitive to the minimum temperature and higher altitude (Wang et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2022). Climate change predictions indicate that its suitable habitat may shift to higher latitudes, while the distribution range in lower latitudes will shrink. 2.2 Resource collection and germplasm classification Now, a large number of field investigations and germplasm collections have been carried out through distribution records in national and global databases, especially in China (Liu et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2022). Conservation strategies emphasize that, in-situ and ex-situ conservation should be given priority in areas, with a higher risk of habitat shrinkage, especially in regions with rapid environmental changes (Liu et al., 2022). Establishing a core germplasm bank that can represent important genetic diversity is of great significance for the conservation and breeding of Sapindus (Sun et al., 2019). Morphological evaluation revealed that there were differences in fruit, seed and leaf traits in Sapindus germplasm (Sun et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2021). Through cluster analysis and principal component analysis, materials can be classified based on traits such as fruit size, saponin content and oil content, thereby screening out excellent materials suitable for breeding and resource management (Liu et al., 2021). Wang et al. (2020) demonstrated that intraspecific variation often exceeds interspecific differences, highlighting the significance of local adaptability. 2.3 Current research on germplasm resources Recent advancements include genome-wide association studies, high-precision habitat modeling, and the development of molecular markers for trait selection (Liu et al., 2022; Xue et al., 2022). Domestic and
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