Variability in morphological traits, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in different populations from three species of Prangos from Fars, Kohklouye and Boyerahmad provinces

The Prangos Lind L. is belongs to Umbelliferae family and represented 15 species in Iran. Prangos (Jashir in Persian) is a medicinal plant, native to southern Iran and has been used in traditional medicine for many digestive disorders. In order to evaluate the morphological diversity, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity between 18 populations of Prangos acaulis, Prangos platychloena and Prangos ferulacea, the aerial parts of these plants in flowering stages were collected in spring and summer 2018 from Fars and Kohklouye va Boyerahmad provinces.To investigate the morphological traits, 10 plants selected in each habitat and 15 quantitative, 39 qualitative morphological and 8 habitats properties traits for each populations were investigated. Total phenolic content measured by Folin-Ciocalto and antioxidant activity by using DPPH radical scavenging capacity methods. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design and the comparison of data average was done by Duncan test at 1% probability level. The results were showed that there was great diversity among populations. Cluster analysis divided populations into three groups. The population 14 from Prangos acaulis was superior in morphological characteristics compared to other populations of this species. The highest antioxidant activity (93.05%) and total phenolic content (8.84 mg GAE/g FW) was obtained from the populations 14 and 8, respectively.Also the highest antioxidant activity (92.72%) and total phenolic content (10.25mg GAE/g FW)) in Prangos platychloena were obtained from populations 7 and 15, respectively.Generally the most total phenolic content and antioxidant activity between three species were observed in population 18 which is belong to the Prangos ferulacea. So the populations of 5, 6, 7 and 8 from fars province, 11 and 13 Kohklouye va Boyerahmad provinceamong three species were desirable at evaluated morphological traits so that these populations can be considered in breeding and domestication programs.