The use of reproductive vigor descriptors to study genetic variability in wild populations of Allium roseum L. (Alliaceae) in Tunisia

Abstract Twenty-eight populations of Allium roseum from Tunisia, belonging to five bioclimatic zones, were assessed by seven vigor reproductive descriptors: number of seeds produced per plants, number of small bulbs, number of middle bulbs, number of big bulbs, total number of bulbs, seeds weight and weight of total bulbs. The data underwent an analysis of variance and a discriminant analysis. Significant differences among populations for the seven descriptors were observed. The discriminant UPGMA analysis performed on averages of all parameters revealed three main groups, and variation within the same bioclimatic zone was extremely important. The bioclimatic location did not seem to be the main factor structuring the variability of the studied populations. There proved to be substantial phenotypic variability in the Tunisian material for the vigor descriptors.