Grouping Jujubes of Iran Based on Quantitative Characteristics and ISSR and RAPD Markers

Jujube (Zizyphus jujube L.) is an important tree with different species and varieties distributed in the central and west Asian regions as well as in Iran. The present study was performed to investigate the genetic diversity in jujube germplasm of Iran, collected from eight provinces grown in a collection garden in south Khorasan province. The genetic diversity was studied based on quantitative characteristics and ISSR and RAPD molecular markers. The results of molecular analysis showed a considerable genetic variation among 32 studied ecotypes. Six efficient primers were selected among 13 ISSR primers e.g. (AC)8YT and (GA) 8A. A total of 84 loci were amplified and 70 (83%) showed proper polymorphism. Among 15 random primers of RAPD markers, more than 80% polymorphism appeared among amplified loci of ecotypes. Phylogenetic analysis using matk gene, indicated existence of at least three different species in Iranian jujube collection. Cluster analysis of quantitative characteristics classified jujube ecotypes into three to six groups. Generally, variation in jujube germplasm could be mainly found in three provinces Mazandaran, Isfahan and South Khorasan, the latter almost covers the total variations.