Genetic diversity analysis of Ziziphora tenuior L. using SCoT markers

Twenty five SCoT primers were employed to investigate genetic diversity of 42 samples of Ziziphora tenuior from different geographical regions of Iran. A total of 209 fragments were amplified and 66% of them were polymorphic. Most amplified polymorphic fragments (10) were related to a primer named SCoT-54, while another primer named SCoT-20 showed the lowest (2) amplified polymorphic bands. Average number of amplified bands for primers was 8.36, while average number of polymorphic bands was 5.53. Polymorphic information content and discrimination power (PICD) varied between 0.217 in SCoT-31 and 0.074 in SCoT-30 with an average of 0.156. Similarity matrix was generated using Jaccard coefficient, Cluster analysis was carried out by UPGMA algorithm and principle coordinate analysis. According to the cluster analysis within the similarity coefficient of 0.7, Ziziphora samples were divided into 7 groups. Based upon similarity matrix, the lowest similarity (0.59) was found for two samples from Naein and Yasuj. The highest similarity (0.98) found between two samples from Damghan and Garmsar within the same geographical region. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested significant genetic differences within the samples. In fact, 89% of variation occurred within the species, whereas 11% of the variation was observed among the samples of Ziziphora tenuior. The results finally indicated moderate genetic diversity among the studied genotypes.