The Genetic Diversity of Some Citrus Varieties from North of Iran Using Microsatellite Molecular Markers

Abstract The genetic diversity of 29 varieties of citrus, including varieties of orange, mandarin, bergamot, pomelo, and natural types through using eight microsatellite primers were evaluated. Genomic DNA extracted from the samples using the amplification was reproduced and products using polyacrylamide gel were electrophoresed. A total of 97 bands were scored for marker ISSR, 78 bands were polymorphic bands of 80.22 percent. The highest and the lowest percentage of polymorphic were ISSR-8 primers with 90% and polymorphic ISSR-5 with 73% band, respectively. The average value of PIC was 0.18 in this test. The most of the PIC was reported by primer ISSR-6 and ISSR-8 with 0.27 and the lowest primer was also reported by ISSR-1 with 0.12. Based on the study, dendrogram of cluster resulted from the analysis of UPGMA method with simple matching coefficient; the cultivars were classified into five main groups. In this study, Pomelo was in a separate cluster. The ISSR molecular marker of Satsuma mandarin and clementine Suji Yama were grouped into two distinct groups. Therefore, this molecular marker presents the different levels of diversity at the genome level which can be useful in germplasm management and hereditary stocks. Genetic diversity analysis and kinship relationships in citrus provide useful information for breeding programs, selection, and registration of new varieties.