phylogenetics

Accurate identification and conservation of Artemisia annua L. (A. annua), a key medicinal plant with high artemisinin content, are essential for maintaining genetic resources and improving cultivation strategies in Vietnam. This study employed three DNA barcode regions (rbcL, matK and 18S) to identify five A. annua samples collected from different districts of Sơn La Province. PCR amplification produced clear, specific bands for all regions, and Sanger sequencing generated high-quality sequences of 624 bp (rbcL), 837 bp (matK), and 1023 bp (18S). BLAST analysis revealed 99–100% identity with authenticated A. annua sequences from GenBank. Phylogenetic reconstruction grouped all samples within the A. annua clade, with matK and rbcL showing greater discriminatory power than the highly conserved 18S region. Genetic similarity among samples ranged from 94% to 100%, indicating moderate intraspecific variation and geographic genetic structuring among sampling locations. These findings confirm the species identity of all samples as A. annua L. and provide valuable molecular data supporting the conservation and sustainable utilization of A. annua germplasm in Sơn La Province.