Genetic diversity analysis in Iranian St. John's wort accessions (Hypericum perforatum L.) using inter simple sequence repeats markers

Hypericum perforatum L. is a medicinal plant abounding with secondary metabolites which have clinically proven anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antidepressant activities. In this study, the genetic diversity of 29 accessions from eight populations collected from eight provinces (Azerbaijan, Gilan, Tehran, Semnan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Golestan and Ardabil) were assessed using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. Twelve primers containing different simple sequence repeats (microsatellite) were used. The primers produced between 11 to 26 bands. Totally the markers produced 221 amplification products, out of which 196 bands were polymorphic. The results showed that polymorphism information content (PIC) of primers was 0.37. Primers 841Y-UBC and UBC-807 had the highest PIC (0.41). Cluster analysis based on Jacquard’s similarity coefficient using Unweight Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) indicated wide range of diversity across the studied accessions. The highest genetic distance was observed between 23335 (Ardabil) with 17982 and 14206 (both of West Azerbaijan) accessions and between 133337 and 17982 accessions (Gilan and Azerbaijan) revealing closer genetic relationship. The least genetic distance was observed between 13180 and 13347 from Gilan. Molecular variation within and among the populations (within and among provinces) were estimated 78% and 22% of total variance, respectively. The distribution reflects high genetic diversity between the accessions in each geographical area. The results revealed that ISSR markers could be efficiently used for genetic differentiation of the St. John’s Wort accessions.