Application of seed storage protein in intra-specific variation in three population of Pistacia atlantica Desf

Wild Pistachio is one of the most important trees in Zagros forests. The resistance of P. atlantica to drought, salinity and cold makes this species suitable for reforestation in arid and semiarid zones and also for water and soil conservation. In this research, protein pattern of three populations of P. atlantica Desf. was studied. After extraction of seed storage proteins, concentration of proteins was identified by Bradford method and banding pattern of the populations was determined by SDS-PAGE technique. Average protein concentration of populations was 13.08 percent. Based on the analysis of variance, significant differences were observed among populations for protein percentage. In order to analysis electrophoresis data, presence and absence of the protein bands were scored as one and zero, respectively. Furthermore, the total distances of the bands of each genotype from the beginning point on the gel were summed to get the cumulative distances as a characteristic of each profile. Cluster analysis was performed on the data matrix using SPSS software. Twenty one protein bands were observed in the studied populations. Baneh population showed the highest number of protein bands while Salmas population showed the lowest number. Although the cluster analysis was not able to separate the populations completely it could partly locate the three populations in different groups.