Genetic diversity and species differentiation of medicinal plant Persian Poppy (Papaver bracteatum L.) using AFLP and ISSR markers

Abstract

Persian Poppy ( Papaver bracteatum L.) is a unique alpine medicinal plant. The plant is a rare source of opiate thebaine in nature. Thebaine is a valuable therapeutic precursor alkaloid. Seven ISSR primers and ten AFLP primer combinations were used to examine the genetic variations of 67 P.bracteatum genotypes freshly collected from nine wild populations over Iran. A total 52% ISSR and 48% AFLP genetic polymorphism among the populations were detected. The genetic diversity within the populations was 38% and 41% by ISSR and AFLP markers. The mean coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) were 0.54 (ISSR) and 0.52 (AFLP). Geneflow was 0.413 (ISSR) and 0.470 (AFLP). AMOVA confirmed the higher variation within the populations. AFLP and ISSR similarly separated the P. bracteatum accessions into three main and one minor group, which was correlated with the samples geographical distributions. Both markers firmly differentiated the out-species accessions, and identified the unknown accession as P. oreintale . The AFLP with higher mean marker resolution power (Rp = 9.74) were more efficient in revealing genetic variations of the Papaver species. The moderate genetic variation within the populations, and very low variation and geneflow among populations could be largely due to anthropogenic factors. It is critical to protect the species by implementing in/ex situ conservation programs. The results of this study could be used for molecular studies, breeding and conservation programs. • This study investigated the genetic variation of wild P. bracteatum genotypes from Iran. • AFLP and ISSR molecular markers proved to be efficient and reliable tools for genetic variation analysis of the species. • The meaningful genetic variation among P. bracteatum populations was higher than that within the populations. • There was limited gene flow among the populations, and the existence of highly preserved genetic resources.