Genetic diversity of Tunisian accessions of Aegilops geniculata Roth and durum wheats (Triticum durum Desf.) using RAPD markers

Abstract Genetic diversity of three durum wheat cultivars (Triticum durum Desf.) and thirteen Aegilops geniculata Roth accessions belonging to different regions of Tunisia (in North and Central) was evaluated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Nineteen arbitrary universal primers were used for the amplification of random DNA sequences. Data were analysed with the SIMQUAL program using the NTSYS-pc. Phylogenetic diagram was drowning using the UPGMA algorithm. Results indicate an important inter—specific polymorphism between Aegilops and durum wheat. Ae. geniculata accessions revealed a high level of polymorphism (71.27%) than wheat cultivars (39.76%). Two main groups were represented by cluster and principal component analyses. The first group is formed by Ae. geniculata accessions and the second is constituted only by durum wheat cultivars. Consequently, RAPD markers separate clearly Ae. geniculata accessions and durum wheat cultivars.