Genetic variability of beech populations in Iran assessed by PCR-RFLP analysis of cp-DNA

Fagus is one of the most abundant and economically important forest tree genera in north of Iran. 14 populations of F. orientalis Lipsky were selected from its wide distribution through the Caspian Forests, in order to study the species genetic variation by three methods: enzyme, cpDNA and morphology. Chloroplast (cp) DNA polymorphysm was analyzed in the same populations of the Iranian beech by PCR-RFLP test. Two cpDNA gene regions, including DT and OA were generated and digested by bounder of HaeIII and HinfI. endonucleases The generated pieces fragments were separated by gel electrophoresis. The digestied profiles of the two regions CDT and OA were compared simultaneously with the digestied fragments of the control DNA of the known haplotype (kindly provided by Raffaello Giannini, IMGPF-CNR, Italy) to identify the Iranian haplotypes. The restricted fragments of the region DT did not show polymorphism among the individuals within any analysed population. However, among individuals within the analysed populations of Asalem and Neka-1400 areas, polymorphism in the bounder fragments of the OA region was found. Overall, three different chloroplast (cp) haplotypes were scored. Distribution of the cpDNA haplotypes revealed a geographical structure of the genetic differentiation with Gst=%68.7 and Nst=%70.3