Evaluation of Genetic Diversity among Persian Fig Cultivars by Morphological Traits and RAPD Markers

Abstract

Ficus carica L. is one of the most ancient fruit trees cultivated in Persia (Iran). The conservation and characterization of fig genetic resources is essential for sustainable fig production and food security. Given these considerations, this study characterizes the genetic variability of 21 edible F. carica cultivars in the Fars Province using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The collected cultivars were also characterized for their morphological features. A total of 16 RAPD primers produced 229 reproducible bands, of which, 170 loci (74.43%) were polymorphic with an average polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.899. Genetic analysis using an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA) revealed genetic structure and relationships among the local germplasms. The dendrogram resulting from UPGMA hierarchical cluster analysis separated the fig cultivars into five groups. These results demonstrate that analysis of molecular variance allows for the partitioning of genetic variation between fig groups and illustrates greater variation within fig groups and subgroups. RAPD-based classification often corresponded with the morphological similarities and differences of the collected fig cultivars. This study suggests that RAPD markers are suitable for analysis of diversity and cultivars’ fingerprinting. Accordingly, understanding of the genetic diversity and population structure of F. carica in Iran may provide insight into the conservation and management of this species.