Genetic diversity of Lilium candidum natural populations in Türkiye evaluated with ISSR and M13-tailed SSR markers

The Liliaceae family includes the perennial, herbaceous, monocotyledonous plant Lilium candidum (L. candidum). The cosmetics, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries regularly use L. candidum. It has been widely used in traditional medicine for wound healing, and its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects have been demonstrated in various studies. Natural populations of L. candidum are significantly affected by biotic and abiotic factors such as anthropological pressure, diseases, pathogen attacks, fossil fuel pollution, and climate change. Overcollection and destruction of its habitat put L. candidum into the endangered category. Therefore, it is of great importance to preserve this plant's genetic diversity, which plays a crucial role in adapting to different conditions, preserving evolutionary potential, and breeding studies. Molecular markers are essential in breeding and evolution studies to conserve genetic resources. Because of its economic and medical importance, various DNA markers have been used to evaluate the genetic diversity of L. candidum accessions. In this study, the genetic diversity of L. candidum, which is native to Türkiye, was determined with ISSR and SSR molecular markers among accessions collected from seven different cities and 76 accessions (Muğla, İzmir, Aydın, Antalya, Balıkesir, Denizli, and Manisa). Genetic distances and phylogenetic analysis were carried out using the software TASSEL 5.2.63. The assessment of genetic diversity was visualized through a UPGMA dendrogram. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed two distinct groups. The closest and farthest accessions were determined according to the genetic distance matrix. It was determined that the highest genetic distance value was between 19 (Balıkesir, Kepsut) and 76 (Muğla, Ula) accessions (0.5390946) and the lowest genetic distance value was between 53 (Muğla, Marmaris) and 54 (Muğla, Marmaris) accessions (0.1069968).