Study of genetic diversity and response of Artemisia species to salt stress

Artemisia is the most important bush plants in natural plant communities. This plant i due to essential medicine and aromatic compounds have economic value. In this study, two experiments were conducted. In first experiment, genetic diversity 19 genotype of four species Artemisia were evaluated using 15 RAPD primers. Primers mplified 108 locus and produced a total 998 bands. Primer "F" has the highest genetic diversity index (0.58). Genetic similarity was calculated by employing Dice index and cluster analysis was carried out according Complete linkage algorithm that showed a similarity range (0.4-0.8).The highest similarity between the two samples A.sieberi (nodoshan) and A.khorassanica-678 (0.80). Cluster analysis, classified genotypes into 3 main groups at 0.46 coefficient of similarity. There was little relationship between genetic divergence and geographical origins. The results indicated the existence of genetic variation among Artemisia genotypes and high efficiency of RAPD markers in the expression of genetic variation between species and within species of Artemisia. In second experiment, the germination characteristics of five genotypes from two species were studied in salinity stress. A factorial experiment was conducted with two factor; salinity (0, 3, 6 and 9 dSm-1) and five genotypes .The germination percent, germination rate and mean of germination time were measured. The result showed that germination percent and germination rate were reduced by increasing salinity. Species A. sieberi (nodoshan) has the highest germination percent and was the most tolerant accession.