Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of variation of Hordeum murinumas revealed by retroelement insertional polymorphisms in Iran

Hordem murinumis a widespread weedy/wild species, growing in different ecological conditions in Iran. Populations of H. murinumsubsp. glaucum(2n= 2x= 14) and subsp. leporinum(2n= 4x, 6x= 28, 42) are found in this region. Inter-retroelement amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers were used to analyse the genetic diversity of 57 accessions of H. murinumfrom different regions of Iran, and to examine patterns of diversity related to the taxonomy and geography. Eight IRAP primer combinations amplified a total of 241 distinct DNA fragments sized 150-1400 bp, from which 236 (97.9%) were polymorphic. On average, each primer combination amplified about 30.12 fragments (ranged from 23 to 34) in PCR. The patterns of genetic diversity were closely correlated with taxonomic groups, ploidy levels and geographic origin. Along with the high genetic diversity, three geographic sub-genepools were evident, 1: in the North-Northeast region along the Alborz Mountains, 2: in the West-Northwest region along the Zagros Mountains, and 3: in the Central — Southern region. The genetic diversity in diploids was higher than polyploids. Also genetic diversity in W-NW region along the Zagros Mountains was considerably higher than that of the other regions.