Genetic diversity in Persian oak (Quercus branti Lindl) from Kohkiluye and Boyerahmad using SSR

Evaluation of genetic diversity of Persian oak is necessary from viewpoint of germplasm conversation and optimized management in Zagros forests in Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaves of 52 trees belonging to different altitudes of Kohgiluye and Boyerahmad province. Intra-specific genetic variation was analyzed through microsattelite marker using 5 pairs of SSR primers. Results showed that mean of observed heterozygosity were lower than that of the expected one in all primers for Persian oak. Trees of middle altitude populations had higher genetic diversity than those of low or high altitude populations. Genetic variation among different altitude populations (FST) by using different primer pairs was very low but it was significant. Trees of low altitude populations showed the highest genetic distance compared with other populations. Using zag 9 primer, the lowest genetic diversity was detected for the species. The highest genetic variation between populations from different altitudes (FST) achieved by zag 119.