Genetic Variation in Seven Natural Populations of Artemisia judaica L. in South Sinai Using RAPD Markers

Abstract

Abstract: Genetic diversity among seven natural local populations of the aromatic shrubby herb; Artemisia judaica L. from different sites in South Sinai, Egypt has been investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of 87 amplified bands, including 50 polymorphic, were scored using 10 selected RAPD primers, with an average of 8.7 amplified bands per primer and 57.47 % polymorphism, indicating a marked genetic variation in the examined populations. The RAPD markers were used to calculate the similarity between the examined populations and construct a distance tree that illustrates the genetic distance between them. These data provide important baseline data for conservation and collection strategies for this species. Meanwhile more studies are recommended to determine the populations that should be sampled in ex-situation protection so as to retain as much genetic diversity as possible. Key words: Artemisia judaica Genetic diversity DNA fingerprinting RAPD