AFLP Markers for Genetic Diversity Evaluation of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region – Iraq

Abstract

In this work, 15 pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars collected throughout Duhok Province in Kurdistan-Iraq were characterized using ten AFLP primer combinations. A high degree of genetic diversity was found among tested cultivars. The total scored number of amplified fragments was 435 of which 374 were polymorphic. The rate of polymorphism varied ranging 40 to 100% with an average percentage of 86.64. The UPGMA clustering analysis based on these data revealed three main groups and that cultivars were not grouped by their geographical distribution. All calculated genetic parameters including PIC, RP, EMR and MI mean results were 0.2974, 45.66, 22.79 and 6.872 respectively, further revealed that pomegranate varieties/cultivars in this region have a rich genetic diversity. The findings showed that a molecular characterization was necessary in order to have a reliable result to evaluate and determine relationships between pomegranate genotypes.