The Study of some Citrus varieties in Northern of Iran by molecular ISSR markers

Recognition of genetic diversity and kinship relationships in Citrus is necessary for planning and applying breeding programs, preserving biodiversity, recording new cultivars, and performing molecular studies. In this study, the genetic diversity of 29 varieties of Citrus including: oranges, mandarins, sour orange, pummel, and natural types were investigated by using ISSR marker. In total, 97 bands were obtained using eight primers in which 78 bands were polymorph. The highest and the lowest polymorphism were in ISSR-8 and ISSR-5 with 90% and 73%, respectively. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.18, which the highest belonged to ISSR-6 and ISSR-8 (0.27) and the lowest belonged to ISSR-1 (0.12). Dendrogram resulting from cluster analysis of UPGMA method with simple matching similarity coefficient classified varieties into five distinct groups. Pummelo was distinguished from the other genotypes in a single cluster. Unshiu mandarin (Sugiyama) was classified into a group and separated from Clemantine mandarin (Nules). All genotypes including Siavaraz 1, Siavaraz 2, Siavaraz 3, Siavaraz 4, natural types, Parson brown orange and Washington navel orange were clustered into the same group and showed high similarity to gather. The studey of molecular marker can provide useful information about the level of polymorphism and variation in citrus fruits which indicating it’s apply in detection of citrus germplasm.