Genetic Variability Analysis of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) Species in Syria

Abstract

Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) as a Mediterranean crop suffers from problematic genotyping identification. It is
considered as a local natural resource, is threatened with extinction. Genetic diversity and relationships among its
genotypes is fundamentally important in its improvement. Thereby, its conservation and genetic characterization is
requested. Molecular characterization of 16 F. sycomorus L. genotypes has been assessed using simple sequence
repeat (SSR) and inters simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Data revealed that the selected 14 SSR loci
produced 32 alleles of which 18 (56.250%) were polymorphic. Whereas, the 11 selected ISSR primers produced 74
bands of which 43 (58.108%) were polymorphic. Cluster analysis of combined SSR and ISSR data together suggests
that the 16 studied F. sycomorus genotypes are grouped in two main clusters, based on the estimated percent
disagreement values (PDV). Based upon combined SSR and ISSR markers together, the current investigation
suggests low genetic variation within studied F. sycomorus L. genotypes.