Genetic diversity assessment of Palestinian safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) utilizing DAMD molecular markers

The current knowledge about Palestinian safflower landraces is relatively limited in terms of phenotypic and molecular characterization, however, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the amount of genetic diversity in eighteen local safflower landraces using seven DAMD markers. The banding patterns for each primer were scored and compiled into a data matrix. Subsequently, the data matrix was analyzed using UPGMA cluster analysis to identify distinct genetic groups among the landraces. In total, 88 DNA fragments were found, and there were an average of 12.6 loci per assay unit observed. Resolving Power (RP) revealed an average of 7.09 was determined, with the highest RP value at 13.3. The dendrogram obtained from DAMD data divided the landraces into three main clusters, denoted as I, II and III. The first cluster (I) consisted of one genotype (PTUK.SA16). The second cluster (II) consisted of two genotypes (PTUK.SA13 and PTUK.SA10). The third cluster (III) was later partitioned into two distinct sub-clusters, which are III.a and III.b. Sub-cluster III.a comprised seven genotypes (PTUK.SA4, PTUK.SA9, PTUK.SA8, PTUK.SA7, PTUK.SA6, PTUK.SA5 and PTUK.SA3). While Sub-cluster III.b consisted of eight genotypes (PTUK.SA15, PTUK.SA18, PTUK.SA17, PTUK.SA14, PTUK.SA12, PTUK.SA2, PTUK.SA11, and PTUK.SA1). This research assess the genetic diversity of Palestinian safflower landraces using PCR-based DAMD markers. The remarkable level of polymorphism detected using DAMD markers demonstrated their effectiveness in distinguishing between Palestinian safflower genotypes.