Evaluation of Genetic diversity of Iranian populations and foreign cultivars of safflower (Carthamus tinctorios L.) Using morphological traits and RAPD molecular markers

Iran is known as one of the early centers of Safflower. Therefore، the diagnosis diversity safflower genotypes for maintain genetic resources and scientific and practical applications of these materials may be useful in breeding programs for breeders. This study investigated the genetic diversity of 24 genotypes germplasm International، Iranian landraces and wild safflower using morphological traits and RAPD markers was conducted. The results showed that a high diversity of morphological traits in safflower genotypes، this diversity for safflower breeding programs that can appropriate manner be used to increase the yield. The study of molecular markers by 11، multiply in the 142 bands، 84 bands were polymorphic (57. 7%). The results of cluster analysis showed that molecular markers are unable to detect the genotypes from one another. Iranian accessions were present in most of the groups that the reason for the high diversity within the population of Iran and Iran candidates one of the main origins and very likely is for safflower germplasm. The results of this study showed that the combined use of morphological and molecular markers for safflower breeding program is especially helpful for selecting parents for the hybridization and the performance RAPD molecular markers is to study genetic diversity and germplasm management safflower. Furthermore the Iranain local populations of safflower and wild safflower are a rich source of genetic for use in breeding programs safflower.