Genetic Relationship in Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Landraces Cultivated East Anatolia by using RAPD and ISSR Markers

Abstract

Background: Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is a forage crop that yields high in arid and calcareous soils and is cultivated in large areas. There aren’t many genetic diversity studies on the varieties of cultured sainfoin. This study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity and the degree of relationship between 23 cultivated landraces and one registered variety. Methods: To take samples from the populations, seeds were sown in the field in 2014. Samples were taken from the young leaves of the plants and preserved at -80oC in same year. RAPD and ISSR primers were used in the study. The bands obtained as a result of PCR were recorded and the data of both methods were also evaluated by combining them. Result: In the study, 5 RAPD and 4 ISSR primers were used and a total of 49 bands were obtained. Of 29 bands obtained using RAPD primers, 20 were found to be polymorphic and of 20 bands obtained using ISSR primers, 15 were found to be polymorphic. It was found that there was a very low correlation between the two methods. Using RAPD and ISSR markers and RAPD + ISSR combination, the similarity index among populations was found to be between 0.25-0.95, 0.5-1.00 and 0.45-0.91, respectively. The Nei’s genetic diversity index was found to be between 0.3365, 0.2656 and 0.3018 with RAPD, ISSR primers and RAPD + ISSR combination, respectively. Based on the dendrograms obtained using RAPD, ISSR primers and RAPD + ISSR combination, the populations under analysis were classified into 3, 3 and 5 groups, respectively. With this study, the closest populations were identified and a significantly high genetic diversity was detected.