Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Structure in the Wild Melon (Cucumis melo var. agrestis) Genotypes from Southern Coastline of Caspian Sea using AFLP Markers

Wild melon (Cucumis melo var. agrestis) commonly known as African melon grows in tropical and semi tropical regions of the world. It also known as a valuable medicinal plant has numerous pharmaceutical properties and is considered as a valuable germplasm in cultivated melons breeding. In the present study, genetic variation of sixteen wild melons, collected from Mazandaran province, was examined by 10 AFLP markers. In total, 564 bands were generated and more than 68% were polymorphic. Mean Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) and Marker Index (MI) values were 0.22 and 15.51, respectively and primer (E-CCA/M-CAG) indicated the highest MI, accounting 24.19. In addition, primer (E-CCA/M-CAG) showed the highest diversity with a Shannon Index 0.33. Cluster analysis using Jaccard similarity method and UPGMA algorithm, and Bayesian method, grouped all genotypes in five main groups. Results of Principal Coordinate Analysis were similar with the results based on Bayesian model and the cluster analysis. Genetic diversity determined based on AFLP markers confirmed the efficiency of AFLP for classifying wild melon genotypes according to the geographical origins and such markers can be used to identify differences within species in the genealogy studies.