Taxonomical study of section Caninae (Rosa) and their hybrids in Iran

The genus Rosa has a wide variety in Iran and although some natural hybrids have been found in different regions of the country, but no cultivars have been established so far. In order to optimize use of genetic resources in the country and to create varieties with desirable traits, inter-species relationships and identification of diversity, 45 populations from seven species in section Caninae collected from 13 provinces of Iran, were studied. To group the species, 61 qualitative and quantitative characters using the most suitable method of cluster analysis (WARD) were used and their ordination diagram based on the most variable factors for each species and sections were drown. Cluster analysis of quantitative and qualitative characters showed significant differences between characters. The results of classification confirmed previous taxonomy grouping. Factor analysis of R. elymatica populations showed that the hair on pedicels, sepal form, hip length, prickle base and prickle formpossessed the highest correlation. Two main groups were formed in R. boissieri based on ecological difference between them. Cluster analysis of R. orientalis also showed two main groups. Moreover, the results indicated that some populations of R. canina such as Polour, Karand, and Siahbishe (Iran), that showed the most variations in qualitative and quantitative characters, could be used to produce interspecific hybrids.Overall, the results of this study revealed that, R. canina and R. pulverulenta showed the highest variety in the section Caninae that is due to the combination of some unusual features in section.