Evaluation of Phylogenetic Relationships of Crocus Species Using Protein Profiles

Saffron (Crocus sativa L.) is a native plant of Iran with various medical and food properties. It also has an important role in terms of economical issues in Iran. To determine the genetic relationship and polymorphism of Crocus species, protein patterns of 10 various saffron including 6 wild type and 4 cultivated genotypes were obtained using protein storage of corm by sodium dodysol solfate poly acril amid gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Dendrogram was plotted and genetic distance of ecotypes were calculated. The results of protein profile of 10 selected types have showed 25 protein bands with maximum in Roshtkhar ecotype. The results of dendrogram indicated that the ecotypes can be divided into 5 different groups. The crop ecotypes including Roshtkhar, Torogh, Estahban, Torbat, Gonabad and Ghaen showed more genetic distance from the wild ecotypes and were divided in a distinguished group with a higher genetic relationship (94%). There was a minimum similarity (15%) between ecotype of C. michelsonii and ecotype of Toroq among the ecotypes. The survey indicate high potential presence of genetic variation between Crocus species. Differences of observed banding pattern shows that saffron cultivate in Iran probably have not originated from a single clone.