Evaluation of genetic variation in marsh mallow and hollyhock accessions (Althaea & Alcea spp L.) using AFLP markers

Genetic diversity of 47 accession of (Althaea & Alcea spp L.) from Iran and the other countries were assessed by using 13 AFLP primer combinations (EcoRI/MseI).1022 bands were scored of which 256 (25.04%) were polymorphic. The largest numbers of polymorphic band (60 bands) were produced using primer combination EcoRI (AGG)/MseI (GAG), and the lowest numbers of polymorphic bands (5 bands) were produced by primer combinarion EcoRI (ACT)/MseI (CAA). The average of polymorphism information content (PIC) and marker index (MI) in all of 47 accession were 0.786 and 16.65, respectively. E (ACT)/ M (CAA) and E (AGG)/M (GAG) primers had the highest PIC and MI value (0.940 and 56.42) and the lowest one (0.504 and 2.52), respectively. Cluster analysis using Dice similarity method and UPGMA algorithm, grouped all accessions in three main groups at genetic similarity of 73% and was also confirmed by PCoA. The genetic similarity was from 93.55 to 25.55% with 59.55% mean in all of the 47 accession and also in Iranian accession was 9.18% to 52.67% with 71.42% mean. Variability observed had a narrow genetic base.