Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been used to characterize the genetic diversity of 10 Iranian populations of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Ten out of 50 tested RAPD primers produced 57 polymorphic bands with presence or absence of patter More
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been used to characterize the genetic diversity of 10 Iranian populations of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Ten out of 50 tested RAPD primers produced 57 polymorphic bands with presence or absence of patterns. Genetic distance among populations based on Jaccard’s genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.17 to 0.37. The highest similarity was found between 7844 (Baft) vs. 3029 (Bojnourd) populations, whereas the lowest was among 4336 (Kerman) vs. 4056 (Chadegan) and 208 (Isfahan) vs. 1727 (Gorgan). Molecular variance analysis showed significant variation among populations and within populations, with average values of 13.46% and 86.54%, respectively. Analysis of population structure based on F-statistics revealed a higher values (FST=0.15) of variation within populations. The molecular data were subjected to unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis and populations were partitioned into three groups. Results of principal coordinate analysis strongly supported cluster analysis results. The interpopulation genetic distance showed no association with the geographic distance between the population sites of origin. However, they were in good agreement with the cluster pattern of morphological data that were obtained in the previous experiment. In general, RAPD marker data proved to be a good method of assessing genetic variation among populations of crested wheatgrass.
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