Evaluating of genetic diversity of commonly grown Iranian alfalfa cultivars (Medicago sativa L.) using RAPD markers

In this study, genetic diversity of 28 Iranian and alien cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was studied using RAPD markers. Fourteen RAPD primers led to the amplification of 200 scorable fragments ranging from 50 to 3800bp from which 59% were polymorphic. The average simple matching genetic coefficient were 0.61 ranging from 0.81 (between Zanjan and Miandoab populations) to 0.43 (between Jolfa and Bami populations). Low genetic diversity was identified among the cultivars. Molecular data and geographical regions did not match each other. This lack of consistency is may due to physical transferring of cultivars and also the cross pollination manner of alfalfa. Cross pollination originated from the activity of insects and transferring pollen grains between alfalfa cultivars could resulted in cultivar blending and high genetic similarity. Due to low genetic variability, expanding of the genetic base is necessary.