Genetic diversity of nine elite Rosa damascena genotypes using molecular markers

The existence of high genetic diversity among different genotypes of a species is essential for breeding studies, as it enables researchers to use genetic diversity to achieve optimal hybrids and maximum yields. rosa damascena is one of the most important commercial plants used in the food, pharmaceutical, perfumery, and cosmetic industries. this study aims to investigate the genetic relationships of nine elite genotypes of r. damascena proposed for introduction as new cultivars in iran. leaf samples from the nine elite genotypes were collected from the rose collection (research institute of forests and rangelands). dna was extracted using a modified ctab method, and polymerase chain reaction (pcr) was performed with 30 ssr markers. the results showed that 23 out of 30 ssr markers successfully amplified dna from our samples. the rd18 and rd5 markers yielded the highest number of polymorphic alleles, with 16 alleles each, while the rd7 marker produced the lowest, with just one polymorphic allele. molecular data analysis was conducted using ntsys software. clustering of the nine genotypes based on the upgma method revealed that they were grouped into four main clades, with a similarity coefficient of 0.85: clade i contained genotype a104; clade ii included genotype yazd 94; clade iii encompassed six genotypes—d231, b211, a105, kashan 93, b215, and d237; and clade iv was represented by genotype d234.