Molecular diversity within and between Ajowan (Carum copticum L.) populationsbased on inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Study of genetic relationships is a prerequisite for plant breeding activities as well as for conservation ofgenetic resources. In the present study, genetic diversity among and within 15 Iranian native Ajowan (Carumcopticum L.) populations were determined using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Twelveselected primers produced 153 discernible bands, with 93 (60.78%) being polymorphic, indicatingconsiderable genetic diversity at the population level. Number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from4 to 11 with an average of 7.75. The largest percentage of polymorphic loci was 78.57% for primer UBC818.Based on an un-weighted pair-group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering algorithm, fourdistinct groups were established. Results of the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) corresponded to thoseobtained through cluster analysis. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the geneticvariation was found mainly within populations (61%), but variance among populations was only 39%. Thisstudy has detected significant genetic differentiation among C. copticum populations. The current studyconfirmed the importance of molecular studies in detecting genetic variation among genotypes in selectingdiverse parents to carry out crossing program successfully

Keywords:

Carum copticum , cluster analysis , genetic diversity , molecular markers