Ouafae Pakhrou
Mohammed V University, Morocco
Title: Population structure and genetic diversity of an endangered and endemic Moroccan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) based on AFLP and IRAP markers
Biography
Biography: Ouafae Pakhrou
Abstract
Argania spinosa L., the only representative of the monotypic genus Argania (Sapotaceae) is a plant endemic to Morocco with great ecological and economical values. The oil extracted from the Argan fruit possesses innumerable nutritional and cosmetic properties. However, the area and the density of the argan forest are in continuous deterioration. In the present study, two molecular marker techniques AFLP and IRAP were used for genetic evaluation of 130 individuals collected from 13 population locations in south-west Morocco. A total of 477 polymorphic bands were amplified by 4 primer AFLP combinations specific to regular genome, and 154 polymorphic bands were observed using 4 IRAP combination primers. Average polymorphic information content (PIC), resolving power (RP) and marker index (MI) were 0.24, 12.7 and 9.40, respectively for IRAP markers, while AFLP markers showed high resolving power (35.81) and Marker index (25.61), also the polymorphic information content was 0.21. The two-marker techniques target different regions of the genome, which justifies the need to combine two markers in obtaining reliable estimates of genetic diversity. Cluster analysis of the combined data revealed that 130 individuals could be divided into two sub-populations based on STRUCTURE, UPGMA (Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) clustering, and PCoA (principal coordinate analyses). The Jaccard's genetic similarity ranged from 0.17 to 0.60 and the genetic differentiation among populations was low (AMOVA = 19%, Gst = 0.21), indicating the possibility of gene flow between the studied populations (Nm= 1,809). These results have an important implication for Argan tree germplasm conservation and management programs.