Genetic variation of 16 white and yellow astragal accessions collected from three protected regions of Isfahan province (Mooteh, Kolah-Ghazi and Ghamishloo) were evaluated using ISSR marker. Nine ISSR primers produced 221 bands in which 204 were polymorphic among astragal accessions. ISSR banding patterns were transformed into binary data of presence–absence and matrices were processed with NTSYS Ver. 2 software. Mantel correspondence tests were conducted to select the best similarity coefficient. Dendrogram was constructed using the simple matching coefficient with unweighted pair group mathematical average (UPGMA). Cluster analysis showed the presence of two large and five small groups and the PCoA data confirmed the results of clustering. Results showed that white astragals have more genetic similarity but yellow astragals have more genetic diversity and it is necessary to improve their systematic identification. The highest gene diversity was observed in Kolah-Ghazi (0.366) and the least gene diversity belonged to Moote (0.129). So, the regions with low gene diversity (e. g. Mooteh) should be more protected in relation to astragal accessions and it is necessary to apply genetic conservation strategies in these regions.

Keywords: Astragal, Genetic diversity, ISSR

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