The Study of Genetic Diversity of Some Species and Sub-Species of Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in Iran using SSR Markers

Due to high adaptability and tolerance to stressful condition, genus hawthorn (Crataegus) is considered as useful rootstocks for several species of pome fruits. On the contrary, due to high genetic diversity of this genus little information is available on its genetic relatedness and accurate use of each species. This research was considered in order to evaluate genetic diversity of several species and sub-species of hawthorn species that have been collected from several habitats of this species in Iran. 32 hawthorn genotypes including 14 species and 10 sub-species were evaluated by 32 pairs of specific SSR primers of apples and pears. The results presented totally 422 amplified bands and mean PIC parameter was 77 percent for each individual primer pair. Evaluation of genetic distance between hawthorn habitats in Iran by matrix of Nei similarity showed the highest distance between Kermanshah and Mazandaran, while the least distance was observed between West Azarbaijan and Guilan habitats. Cluster analysis by using Jaccard`s coefficient and UPGMA method demonstrated low similarity of accumulated hawthorn genotypes and therefore high distance of clustering in hawthorn genotypes, that could be a consequence of numerous species and poloidy levels of evaluated genotypes. Finally this research demonstrated high dispersal and complexity of genetic diversity of this genus in Iran that presents necessity of a comprehensive program for collecting and evolution of hawthorn species in their habitats.