Evaluating of genetic diversity of Datura (Daturea stramonium L.) genotypes on the basis of morphological characters

The biotypes or ecotypes of a species are usually different in terms of growth, morphology, and susceptibility to herbicides. When different genotypes of a species are exposed to environmental changes, they show different degrees of developmental diversity. Tatura is an annual plant, a broad leaf herbaceous plant that reproduces only through seeds and overwinters only as seeds. Awareness of the genetic diversity of this weed can lead to the development of management programs to control this weed. Since there is little scientific information on the study of genetic diversity of Daturea based on morphological method, which is a common and first step in genetic studies. In this study, genetic diversity was investigated among six genotypes of Daturea collected from different parts of the country based on morphological traits.

This study was conducted in the research greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2017. Seeds of six genotypes of Daturea were collected from Tehran, Mashhad, Gilan, Ardebil, Hamadan and Moghan . The experiment was performed based on a completely randomized design with six genotypes and three replications. Traits related to vegetative organs were measured at flowering stage and boll traits at boll stage.

According to the results of analysis of variance difference between the genotypes studied traits has a significant effect on the average leaf length, the average leaf width and number of seeds per head at 1% probability and on the main stem height, internode length, angle and leaf area index average at 5% probability. The estimated correlation coefficients showed that the highest correlation there was between fresh weight with total plant fresh weight (r= 0.98) and least correlations between dry weight and number of seeds (r= -0.92). Factor analysis for all traits, showed five hidden factors that Justified 99.98% of the total variation. On the basis of cluster analysis, six studied populations were in two groups. The first group consists populations Ardebil, Hamedan, Mashhad and Moghan and the second group populations Gilan and Tehran.

On the basis of cluster analysis, six studied genotypes were in two groups. The first group consists genotypes Ardebil, Hamedan, Mashhad and Moghan and the second group genotypes Gilan and Tehran. The genotypes of each group were similar in some morphological traits. Morphological differences between two groups may affect their competitive power and may be effective in response to chemical and agronomic management method. When a herbicide comes into contact with the plant, its action will be affected by the morphological and anatomical traits of the plant as well as the numerous physiological and biochemical processes that occur within the plant. Morphological diversity of Daturea genotypes can justify their adaptability to different environmental conditions and different methods of weeds management.