Comparison of morphological and phytochemical traits in some endogenous genotypes of sweet violet (Viola odorata l.) in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces

In order to evaluate genetic diversity using phenotype and phytochemical properties of sweet violet (Viola odorata), 10 regions of Mazandaran and Golestan provinces were studied. Phytochemical traits such as phenol content, flavonoid, antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and morphological characters of leaf size, petiole length, pedicel length, and root length were evaluated. Sari and Kosout genotypes had the highest chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents and the Sari ecotype had the highest flavonoid content. The highest level of antioxidant capacity was observed in Sari and Vari ecotypes. The ecotypes of Zanglab, Aq Cheshmeh, Tangeh Chehel Chai with lower height showed the highest total phenol contents. Results of morphological evaluation showed that ecotypes of Vari, Sar,i and kosout had the longest leaves and  ecotypes of Azni and Vari had the longest roots. Also, ecotypes of Vari, kosout, Tangeh Chehel Chai, and Zanglab had the highest petiole length and Tangeh Chehel Chai ecotype had the highest leaf number. Correlation of traits showed that leaf height, leaf width, petiole length, leaf number, leaf flavonoid, and leaf phenol contents of sweet violet decreased with increasing altitude. In general, Sari, Vari, and Kosoot ecotypes from Mazandaran province had superior genotypes for most of the traits that could be used for future breeding programs.