Genetic diversity in three perennial grasses from the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing region of Kazakhstan after long-term radiation exposure

The extent and structure of the genetic diversity of plant populations from the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan, adjacent to a former major nuclear test site, have been studied using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) marker analyses. The DNAs from three perennial species, Stipa capillata, Hordeum bogdanii, and Agropyron pectinatum, each collected from heavily (HPZ), moderately (MPZ) and lightly polluted zones (LPZ) have been analyzed using RAPDs. The results show a significantly higher level of variability in plants collected from the highest radiation pollution area compared with the moderately and lightly radiation contaminated zones for A. pectinatum and H. bogdanii. Variation was five times as higher in heavily exposed H. bogdanii, and two times higher in A. pectinatum populations compared to their lightly contaminated populations. H. bogdanii appears to be very sensitive to radiation and as such is a good indicator species for mapping radiation pollution at nuclear test sites or nuclear accidents. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.