Taxonomic status and genetic variation of the genus Castanea (Fagaceae) in Iran based on psbA and trnH-psbA

Species in the genus Castanea Mill. are one of the worthwhile species in the Hyrcanian forest of west Guilan (N Iran) with low region such as Siahmazgi, Ghalerodkhan and Visrod. that do not have good condition by reason of human interfering and disease. They have varying economic importance as nut tree crops, therefore, DNA barcoding technique can be a straightforward method for taxonomic status appointment of the genus Castanea Mill. in the north of Iran. In this research, six individuals from three relict populations of Castanea in western regions of Hyrcanian forest (Guilan province) were selected and amplified for plastid trnH-psbA region.