Morphological and Isozyme Variation in Natural Populations of the Genus Medicago L. Prospected in Northern Algeria

As part of the evaluation and enhancement of genetic resources, morphological and isozyme variability within and among 169 accessions, representing 14 species of the genus Medicago L. collected in northern Algeria, was assessed using twelve quantitative traits and two enzymatic systems. Phenotype frequencies were scored in six enzyme zones to determine isozyme variability within and among populations. The data analysis resolved a high level of genetic diversity. Ten morphometric characteristics contributed to the discrimination of the species. The relationship between the collection site environment and phenotypic characteristics was also studied. Esterase (EST) enzyme system was more polymorphic than glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) system. Were scored 2 zones with 10 bands and 21 phenotypes for GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) and 4 zones with 22 bands and 71 phenotypes for EST (esterase) Polymorphism index and Jaccard’s genetic distances revealed the existence of a high genetic diversity within and among the studied populations. The annual species M. polymorpha presented an intraspecific polymorphism index of 0.57, which was higher than all other species indices. Clustering of the species based on isozyme markers was in agreement with taxonomic criteria and showed no significant correlation with morphological characteristics. Conservation programs should take into account the level of genetic diversity within and between populations revealed by isozyme markers

Phylogenetic Relationships Between and Within 11 Taxa of Genus Vicia from Algeria Based on Evidence from Isozymes and Physical Seed Properties

Isozyme patterns for aspartate amino transferase, alcohol dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase were evaluated in 60 accessions of eleven Vicia taxa occurring in Algeria. The three enzymatic systems revealed 25 morphs of different frequency encoded by 7 loci. Similarity between species and accessions was estimated by Euclidean distances based on presence or absence of bands. The UPGMA method was utilized for the groupings and dendrogram construction. The dendrogram presented 2 major groups, each one corresponding to a taxonomic level where accessions of the same species grouped together. Taxa-specific bands were identified. In parallel, 12 physical seed properties namely: length, width, thickness, arithmetic diameter, geometric diameter, sphericity, surface area, volume, square mean diameter, equivalent diameter, seed aspect ratio and 1000 seed weight were calculated. By cluster analyses based upon them, the material has been classified into 2 major groups with no correspondence with the current taxonomy. A Principal Component Analysis was undertaken to distinguish physical properties which contribute the most to accessions distinction. Mantel test was used to assess correlation between the three enzymatic systems studied one side and between enzymes polymorphism and physical seed properties another side

Ecogeographic variability and genetic diversity associated with seed albumins, globulins and prolamins patterns in Vicia taxa from Algeria

Abstract Genetic variability was studied in 78 populations of locally collected Vicia L. taxa for seed albumins, globulins and prolamins patterns by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) along with an ecogeographic characterization of sites investigated. 131, 119 and 98 bands were respectively used for albumin, globulin and prolamin cluster analysis. Dendrograms based on the Jaccard index and the UPGMA method were generated and the degree of genetic diversity between and within taxa was evaluated. Five clusters were generated from albumins, six from globulins and four from prolamins patterns. The results reflect the great diversity of storage proteins and a high correlation was obtained between the three studied fractions. Several accessions present specific bands which could be used as a discriminatory marker both on intra and interspecific levels. No clear relationships were seen between the groups according to their geographical origin. Data obtained from ecogeographic investigation can be used for future collecting missions