Genetic diversity of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) ecotypes based on morphological traits, allicin content and RAPD markers

Sixteen ecotypes of Allium hirtifolium, collected from their main local growth areas of Lorestan in Iran, were evaluated for genetic variation of morphological traits, allicin content and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) data. The investigated morphological characteristics include: mean bulb weight, clove number, plant height, leaf number, leaf width, leaf length, days-to-emergence and days-to-flowering. Duncan`s multiple range test showed that the ecotypes were significantly different for most morphological characters. A dendrogram prepared on the basis of a similarity matrix using UPGMA algorithm separated the 16 ecotypes in six groups. There was no significant correlation between ecological conditions and morphological traits. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between allicin content and bulb weight, which is useful for indirect selection of ecotypes with high bulb weight and therefore, high amount of allicin content. Molecular analysis of diversity was carried out using RAPD technique with 16 random primers of 10-mer oligonucleotides. Out of 353 bands obtained, 336 were polymorphic among ecotypes. Cluster analysis on RAPD data separated the 16 ecotypes into four groups. Our results indicate that genetic parameters were very effective in morphological and phytochemical divergence of ecotypes.