Genetic similarities among Iranian populations of Festuca, Lolium, Bromus and Agropyron using AFLP markers

AbstractThe study of genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships is essential for the efficient selection of superior plant material and conducting introgression breeding programs. In Iran, despite wide geographical distribution no report is available on genetic diversity and relationships of cool season grass populations. For this reason Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) was used to study 42 populations from eight species of Festuca arundinacea, F. pratensis, F. rubra, F. ovina, Lolium perenne, L. rigidum, Bromus tomentellus and Agropyron cristatum. The number of amplified products ranged from 11 to 78 per primer combination and a total of 497 markers were scored. Jaccard genetic similarity coefficient between populations ranged from 0.15 to 0.88 showing high levels of inter and intraspecific genetic diversity. The UPGMA dendrogram generated by cluster analysis reflected the phylogenetic relationships among species and clearly demonstrated differences in the degree of similarity between accessions. Results indicated that AFLPs are useful to reveal genetic diversity at different taxonomic levels of grasses and may facilitate the selective introgression of useful genes in plant breeding programs