Utilization of ISTR, ISSR and SRAP molecular markers to reveal and classify Egyptian pomegranates ('Punica granatum' L.)

This study offers the comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity among six local varieties (Manfalouti; Nab El-Gamal; Hegazy; Wardi; Assuity; Araby) and three international varieties (Wonderful; Marked Bani Rafie; Red Bani Rafie) of pomegranate in Egypt, based on the behavior of ISTR, ISSR and SRAP markers profiles. A set of 24 ISTR, 16 ISSR and 30 SRAP primers combination were compared, concerning exposed the degree of resolution and efficiency of the discriminating capacity technique alongside with the level of genetic polymorphism, to determine which varieties evolved from the others. Considering the results, SRAP assay had superior, more sensitive, higher discrimination capacity and gives much more evidence about the total number of effective alleles (1411), number of polymorphic amplicons (312), PIC (0.94), assay efficiency index (47.04), effective multiples ratio (10.04) and marker index (9.74). Unexpectedly, the ISTR profile demonstrated a significant moderate level of polymorphism among tested genotypes. To further determine the genetic relationships and the distance among varieties, a graphic demonstration of combined UPGMA tree and the PCA analysis did assemble with clear resolution and accurate along with three categories.Our findings confirm that combining different marker system were greatly better and more effective considered an important priority step toward diversity study and characterization. We can point out that, the two-widespread varieties in Egypt Manfalouti, and Nab El-Gamal, formed a high homogeneity in genetic similarity with the Wonderful, as an essential global species for breeding programs, efforts widening the genetic base of pomegranates and the introduction of new genotypes in Egypt.