Investigation of genetic variation of Amygdalus scoparia. L genotypes using some morphological, biochemical and seed storage proteins characteristics

Amygdalus scoparia L. is an important medicinal and commercial species of Rosaceae، resistant to heat and drought. Iran''s weather is dry، then A. scoparia is suitable for reforestation in the country. A. scoparia produces bitter seeds normally but one sweet Amygdalus stand was found among the bitter Amygdalus accessions in Naein province. Due to economical importance of Amygdalus sweet seeds and for preservation of genetic resources in natural stands، this research compared the morphological، biochemical and variation of the sweet and bitter accessions. Morphological characters such as leaf length and width shoot and petiole length، seed and kernel weight were compared. Biochemical analysis of seed extracts، in comparison with standard sample، determined their amygdaline quantities. Protein profiles of seed storage extracts were compared using SDS-PAGE techniques. Results revealed that means of shoot length، leaf length and width، seed diameter and kernel weight for sweet genotype were less than those of bitter ones، but petiole length of sweet stand was longer than that of bitter. Leaf width in sweet stand was the same as that of bitter ones. Quantity of amygdaline in sweet sample was less than that of bitter ones. Due to differences observed between the protein profiles on the genotypes، this method seems to be suitable for genetic variation evaluation of A. scoparia population.