Association analysis and evaluation of genetic diversity of Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. populations using ISSR markers

Germander (Teucrium stocksianum Boiss.) is distinguished by a small geographical range in the heights of southern Iran including Hormozgan, and Sistan & Baluchestan. The present study aimed to reveal genetic diversity and association mapping among populations of germander collected from 13 geographically isolated regions of Iran using 18 inter simple sequence repeats markers and 17 morphophysiological traits. In the morphophysiological assessment, analysis of variance indicated significant differences among T. stocksianum populations. Principal component analysis showed that the first components possessed the highest correlation with the inflorescence length, plant height, and root dry weight traits. Cluster analysis divided the populations into three main groups based on morphophysiological traits. Bokhon (B), and Dagh-fino II populations were found to be superior in terms of multivariate analysis. ISSR markers could produce 174 clear and discernible bands, of which 163 bands were polymorphic. The highest number of polymorphic bands was observed in Siyaho and after Bastak populations. All primers in this study showed a moderate degree of diversity (average PIC of 0.48). UBC864 and A12 were the most effective markers to assess the diversity in T. stocksianum populations. The study of the population structure showed two possible subgroups, confirming the results of the UPGMA cluster and PCoA analyses. Marker UBC820.4 was significantly associated with the shoot and root dry weight. The highest number of markers significantly relationships with the thousand seeds weight. This study would provide a platform for the next investigations on T. stocksianum breeding and gene bank conservation programs.