Analysis of genetic diversity among male and female pistachio genotypes using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers

Precise investigation of genetic diversity by means of novel molecular tools has made it possible to identify the superior genotypes among various male and female pistachio populations. Cytogenetic studies have shed light on the possible presence of distinct sex chromosomes in male and female genotypes. In this study, 22 start codon targeted (SCoT) primers were used to investigate the genetic diversity of 22 male genotypes and 22 female cultivars of pistachio. A total of 434 loci were produced that 339 loci were polymorphism. The average value of polymorphic information content (PIC), marker index (MI), and resolving power (Rp), ranged from minimum 10, 0.5, and 1, to maximum 31, 11.40, and 17.86% subsequently. The genetic similarity between genotypes, were calculated using Jaccard's coefficient, ranged from 35 to 66%. The cluster analysis divided pistachio genotypes into six groups, and could efficiently differentiate the male and female genotypes. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) classified the total diversity into intra- and inter- population diversities with a high genetic variation (92%) within populations. This study reveals that SCoT marker is a useful and valuable molecular tool to separate male and female pistachios and to determine the genetic diversity among the populations.