Analysis of the genetic diversity 12 Iranian Damask rose(Rosa damascena Mill.) genotypes using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

In this study, the genetic diversity of 12 Iranian Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) genotypes was studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Twelve AFLP primer combinations generated 483 polymorphic bands and showed extreme variability and genetic complexity among the studied genotypes. The AFLP analysis revealed a specific amplified fragment for the genotypes collected from the Meymand region. Despite the geographical distance between Kashan and Kazeroon regions, the results of cluster analysis showed that the genotypes collected from these districts regions were genetically related. The low genetic similarities were observed among the genotypes belonging to Tabriz, Meymand and Kashan regions suggesting that there was relatively less geographical relocation of the genotypes between these regions. Hence, for breeding of the Damask roses taken in this study, it is necessary to conjunct the molecular data with agronomic characters.