Association analysis and molecular tagging of phytochemicals in the endangered medicinal plant licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a medicinal plant species valued in many countries Asia and Europe for its phytochemical characteristics. biodiversity becoming threatened nowadays Iran due to increasing demand drastic decline of natural habitats. Therefore, licorice domestication would be necessary the near future, molecular breeding help introduce genotypes suitable cultivation. The present study was carried out with 170 individual plants sampled wild 59 localizations 21 provinces Iran. association 436 polymorphic AFLP markers, produced by 15 primer combinations (EcoRI/MseI), six phenotypic traits studied. AMOVA analysis show gene diversity among within localizations. population structure identified two main sub-populations significant genetic variation. Significant associations were between three markers (E3/M40-4, E34/M4-12 E12/M31-15) glycyrrhizin concentration, four (E11/M34-12, E11/M34-15, E9/M7-29, E9/M7-30) phenolic compounds contents. Markers detected can useful as well programs. (KBA1, KBA2, SKh2 Fa1) found superior terms antioxidants content, therefore they considered elite which could included process.