Variation in Agro-morphological Characters in Iranian Garlic Landraces

Abstract

Despite its asexual reproduction, garlic (Allium sativum L.) exhibits wide diversity for morphological and agronomic characters due to accumulation of mutations. Sixteen agro-morphological characters were evaluated to assess patterns of variation among landraces and their relationship with geographical regions. There were high levels of diversity within the germplasm. Differences in germplasm were predominantly due to genotype. Biologically significant correlation coefficients were observed among characters, indicating the stability of these relationships in garlic. Results indicated that the ability to produce scapes and plant weight should be considered in future garlic germplasm evaluation. Based on cluster analysis, there was a relationship between genetic divergence and geographical origins; genotypes from the same or nearby locations were in the same cluster. Genotypes GI-14 and GI-15 from Isfahan and Markazi provinces, respectively, had the ability to flower and were bolting types. Variation observed could help garlic breeders to select specific genotypes for future breeding.