Evaluation of genetic diversity of carnation cultivars using CDDP and DAMD markers and morphological traits

This study was aimed to evaluate genetic diversity using molecular markers and morphological traits in carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus (fam: Cryophyllaceae) widely grown as an ornamental. Fifteen cultivars were examined employing seven Conserved DNA-derived Polymorphism (CDDP) and seven Directed Amplification of Minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers. These varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design in three replicates at the experimental farm of the National Institute of Ornamental Plants, Mahallat, Iran. Analysis of variance for morphological traits showed significant differences among the examined cultivars. Morphological traits such as flower longevity, flower diameter and number of branches were statistically significant at 1 percent probability level. CDDP and DAMD markers produced an average polymorphic index content of 0.38 and 0.29 for CDDP and DAMD markers, respectively. Genetic distance matrix ranged from 0.02 to 0.84 in CDDP and from 0.09 to 0.78 in DAMD marker analysis. Cluster analysis for the two markers revealed that cultivars were grouped in three clusters. Results of molecular evaluation showed that CDDP and DAMD markers have high ability to differentiate carnation cultivars through assessment of the genetic diversity.