Evaluation of some populations of Alyssum species based on the branch and seed yield and some morphological traits

To investigate yield and morphological traits of 32 populations of 7 species of the genus of Alyssum shop including 3 populations of desert alyssum (Alyssum desertorum), 3 population of dwarf Alyssum (A. marginatum), 15 populations hairy Alyssum (Alyssum hirsutum), 8 populations of Shirazian Alyssum (A. stapfi), and one population from each of species of Alyssum szowitsianum, A.dasycarpum and A. linifolium were cultivated and evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the field of Alborz Research Station  in 2018 and 2019. Based on data analysis and comparison between species and populations within each species, late lowering species such as A. linifolium and A. Stapfi had higher aerial and grain yield than early flowering species including dwarf alyssum (A. marginatum), desert Alyssum (A. desertorum), Araraty Alyssum (A.szowitsianum).The simple correlation between the studied traits showed that there was a positive correlation between plant height and  aerial yield and grain yield. The rate of plant establishment was positively correlated with plant height and negatively correlated with the stems number. Result of principal component analysis (PCA) obtained three main components considering the eigenvalues greater than one that justified 90% of total variance. The results of cluster analysis led to the grouping populations into five groups. The species of A.stapfi, A. hirsutum and A.desertorum were placed in a one group. The studied populations provided a suitable genetic background for selecting superior populations with important traits from different clusters, so that they can be used in breeding improved varieties.