Study of Genetic Relationships of Some Mint Species Using R-ISSR Markers

In this study, the genetic diversity of sixteen mint accessions belonging to three species (M. Spicata, M. longifolia and M. piperata) were assessed using R-ISSR as a new and combined marker. Twelve primer combinations amplified 155 bands in which 146 were polymorphic. The average percent of polymorphism in all accessions was 94.9. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard coefficient and UPGMA method classified the genotypes in two major groups and the PCoA analysis confirmed the results of clustering. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) among and within species showed more intra-specific variation (73.01%) in comparison with inter-species variation (26.99%). As M. piperata is considered as a hybrid between M. aquatica and M. spicata, the results of this study showed that lower genetic characteristics inherited from M. spicata to M. piperata. High similarity of M. spicata and M. longifolia could be attributed to natural hybridization between these species during their evolution.