Abstract

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Considering the importance of germplasm characterization and evaluation particularly in saffron, the present study was formulated with an objective to access the structure of genetic diversity among the accession of saffron at molecular levels. Twenty six primers from Operon Technologies were used in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, thirty primers were screened using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) method were assayed in six clone ofCrocus sativus from six center of production of saffron in Iran. The RAPD primers developed 95 robust loci, which revealed 56% polymorphism and 75 SRAP markers generated 43% polymorphism. Genetic diversity parameters for RAPD and SRAP along with Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) clustering based on Jaccard coefficient were estimated with a view to assess efficiency of the marker system in saffron. Accessions were classified into four clusters using both methods, which supplied molecular evidences for the exploit of this rich source in Iran. RAPD markers were almost as efficient as SRAP markers with regards to detection of polymorphism, number of loci scored and polymorphism information content (PIC) values. Therefore saffron is not monomorphic and we can find diversity for breeding purposes.

Key words: Crocus sativus, genetic differentiation, molecular marker.