Abstract
The Calligonum genus is one of the most economically important resources of the Tunisian desert, playing an important role in the lives of desert local population. A great range of genetic diversity could be seen in diverse populations of this genus which are spread all over Tunisian areas. DNA-based molecular markers are playing increasingly important role in the analysis of genetic diversity in wide range of plants. This study is an attempt to collect, compile and collate information on the existing natural genetic diversity, at intra-specific and inter-populational levels inCalligonum genus (C.azel, C.arich and C.comosum). This study deals with 16 genotypes of Calligonum (Polygonaceae) collected from different regions of Tunisian desert using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. In total,46 polymorphic bands amplified by 4 random primers, with the polymorphic rate of 89.06% were recorded. The commercial software package SPSS 16 was used to develop similar matrices based on the Dice coefficient which is defined as 2a/2a+u, where “a” is the number of positive matches and “u” is the number of non-matches.From the analysis, it is imperative that predominantly obligate out breeding behavior of Calligonum genus, helps these diverse accessions to spread and occupy specific geographical niches in the Tunisian arid regions. Key words: Calligonum, genetic diversity, Inter-specific variation, RAPD marker, Tunisian desert.
Highlights
Desertification is a land degradation problem of major importance in the world’s arid regions
6 primers gave no amplification at all, while only 4 primers are found to give clear and polymorphic patterns, and are subsequently used to analyze the entire set of 16 genotypes. These primers are used for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of all the 16 Calligonum genotypes
The primer AX16 showed the lowest Average of informativeness band (AvIb) (0.36) and the highest resolving power (Rp) (5.84) while the highest AvIb (0.45) and the lowest Rp (3.62) values are exhibited by the primers AF14
Summary
Desertification is a land degradation problem of major importance in the world’s arid regions. Three quarters of Tunisia are arid and desert regions (Le Houérou, 1959). Calligonum genus, bestows the status of key-stone species of Tunisian desert, an important source of animal food for sustenance during frequently occurring famines and is valued for commercial and medicinal purposes (Bhandari, 1995). Calligonum genus with smooth stems and branches, bearing abortive flowers and small succulent fruits, is eaten when food is scarce during famines in arid regions of Tunisia. Calligonum genus did not receive the due attention it deserves as a key stone species of Tunisian desert. No chromosome number reports for Calligonum genus or any other species of the genus Calligonum from Tunisia are available as yet. Examination of morphological characteristics is the standard method of identifying desert
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