Evaluation of genetic diversity in cultivated (O. europaea subsp. europaea L. ssp. europea var. europaea) and wild olives (Olea cuspidata Wall) using genome size and RAPD markers

Abstract

Olive is one of the most important horticultural plants having wild and cultivated forms. Information on the genetic diversity attendant in cultivated and wild olives is quite important to augment breeding program on olive tree. The present study reports genome size (C-value) and RAPD analysis of four cultivated olive genotypes (O. europaea subsp. europaea var. europaea) and three wild olive (Olea cuspidate) populations from different regions of Iran. Determination of the relative C-value (RC) and 2C value of the wild and cultivated olives showed that the RC value varies from 1.89 pg in Dezful cultivar cultivated in Safiabad region to 2.28 pg in Olea cuspidate growing in Baghe-Mansouri locality. Similarly 2C DNA content varied from 5.36 pg in Dezful cultivar cultivated in Safiabad region to 6.2 pg in Olea cuspidate growing in Baghe-Mansouri locality. ANOVA followed by LSD test showed a significant difference in DNA content of the genotypes studied indicating quantitative differences in genetic material, although all of them are diploid with 2n = 2x = 46. RAPD analysis of the seven olive populations showed intra and inter genotype variations. The presence of polymorphic bands /loci observed in olive species studied indicates the presence of genetic polymorphism in these species, which may be used in olive breeding.