Analysis of genetic and cytogenetic variations between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotypes in Iran

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the important forage crops producing highly nutritious biomass and adaptability. In this study the genetic diversity among 19 genotypes of Medicago sativa was evaluatedbased on the molecular and cytogenetic markers. Molecular studies were carried out based on eight Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers. Cytogenetic data were obtained by karyotype analysis with mitotic chromosomes. There were significant differences between cytogenetic characterictics (P≤0.01). The genotypes ES-211, ES-027, ES 037, ES-065, and ES-199 had the greatest chromatin content and the highest asymmetrical value as well. The greatest amount of asymmetry index (AI) belonged to ES211, E119 while the least value of AI was ES037. The genotype ES119 had the greatest CVCL, Mean centromeric asymmetry (MCA), r-value and relative length (RL%) characterictics. Analysis of banding patterns of eight ISSR primers revealed 29 polymorphic bands. A total of 29 polymorphic fragments were scored and the average of polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.32. The number of polymorphic fragments for each primer varied from three to six with mean of 4.62 polymorphic fragments per primer. The mean polymorphic percentage was 86%. The Cluster analysis of molecular data classified all 19 genotypes into three different groups. According to the karyotypic characterictics, all genotypes were grouped to three clusters as well.