Genetic polymorphism of petA-psaJ chloroplastic region in pomegranate(Punica granatum)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the oldest known fruits and the most important horticultural plants in Iran with a considerable distribution and diversity. Different molecular markers have been used to determine the genetic diversity among some pomegranate cultivars such as RAPD, AFLP and SSR, indicated a low level of polymorphism among its genotypes in spite of morphological diversity. In current study petApsaJ region (petA, psbJ, psbL, psbF, psbE, petL, petG, tRNApro, trnAtrp, psaJ) was used to sequence and phylogenetic analysis of pomegranate and myrtle. Genomic DNA was extracted from the wild, cultivated and ornamental pomegranate genotypes and a wild type of myrtle. Sequencing of PCR products showed that this region is consisted by 5400 bp and psbE-petL region with 4.98% diversity can be used as an appropriate marker for detection intra-specific variation of pomegranate. Comparing pomegranate with the other plants based on petA-psaJ region revealed a considerable genetic relation between pomegranate from Onagraceae and Mythraceae families.