Genetic Variation Among Salvia Species Based on Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) Marker

In this study, SRAP molecular maker approach was performed to investigate genetic diversity in the Salvia genus. A total of 205 DNA bands were produced from PCR amplification of 11 Salvia species and populations using 25 selective primer combinations, of which 204 polymorphic genetic loci accounted. The total number of amplified fragments ranged from 3 to 15. The genetic similarities of 11 collections were estimated from 0.0968 to 0.6949. According to the SRAP marker analysis, S.verticillata2 and S.nemorosa2 had the lowest similarityand the species of S.verticillata2 and S.verticillata3 had the highest similarity. Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages clustering algorithm categorized Salvia species into six major groups. In general, SRAP markers were able to detect high polymorphism among Salvia genotypes. Hence, the technique is regarded as a reliable tool for differentiation of Salvia at inter and intra-species level.