Propagation of Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia Genotypes and Determination of Their Ornamental Traits Combined with a Genetic Analysis Using ISSR Markers

Pistacia lentiscus L. is a dioecious shrub or small tree with high drought resistance, native in the entire Mediterranean basin. The variety ‘Chia’ (mastic tree) cultivated for production of mastic gum (a resin produced after wounding trunks and thick branches) Island Chios (Greece), but it also has significant ornamental value. In present study, ten male female genotypes P. var. Chia from natural habitats were selected examined respect to rooting efficiency their shoot cuttings. germination ability seeds was tested. 20 plants morphologically described, mainly traits related Furthermore, leaves collected genotypes, which genomic DNA (gDNA) isolated, followed by amplification gDNA fragments using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. This done aiming both at determination genetic distance establishment possible correlations between amplified bands certain morphological traits. results study showed that there differences among methods propagation. Regarding cuttings, best genotype 8M (cv. ‘Psilophyllos’), achieving rate 62.5% winter application indolebutyric acid (potassium salt IBA), while regarding seed capacity 2F exhibited highest (57%). Genetic analysis ISSRs separated into four groups, one group consisting members genders fourth containing single genotype. only dendrogram showing cultivars clustering three different groups. Regardless analysis, seems ISSR markers leaf gender asexual These can assist future breeding programs Chia.