In this study, in order to know the variability for a rootstock breeding program genetic diversity and relationships among 55 Iranian almond genotypes and seven related Prunus species were investigated. Morphological and molecular analyses were used. Principal component analysis showed that three components explained 67.6% of the total morphological variation for the first year and 68.06% for the second year of the study. Leaf traits were predominant in the first component and contributed most of the total variation. Leaf length and width, as well as, leaf area were highly correlated with each other and correlated to vigor. Also a negative correlation was found between leaf length/width ratio and vigor. Ward's method was used to construct cluster from morphological data which allocated individuals into their respective species. Out of 100 pre-screened RAPD primers, 16 with reproducible bands and maximum polymorphism were selected. Two-hundred and sixty bands were scored of which 250 of them were polymorphic. Average value of polymorphism per primer was 95.81% and maximum value for polymorphism (100%) was obtained from TIBMBA-14, TIBMBA-17, TIBMBB-05, TIBMBB-08, TIBMBD-09, and TIBMBD-10. On the other hand, the minimum value was obtained from TIBMBB-16 (86%). Primer TIBMBB-5 gave the maximum number of bands (25 fragments) and the minimum obtained from TIBMBE-18 (11 fragments). Genetic similarity based on Jaccard's coefficient ranged from 0.28 to 0.79 with an average of 0.53. Molecular analysis revealed a high degree of separation among samples regarding their geographical origin. Correlation between two approaches was low (R =−0.38). High molecular and morphological variability indicated that this collection includes rich and valuable plant materials for almond rootstock breeding.

In this study, we used 20 morphological traits (during two consecutive growing seasons) and 11 microsatellite markers to assess the morphological and molecular variability and structure of the almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb). Seventy one promising Iranian genotypes and three foreign reference cultivars (Ferragnes, Supernova, and Touno) were evaluated in this study. Kernel/shell ratio, kernel width/thickness ratio, softness of shell, nut weight, and kernel thickness were highly variable. Strong positive and, occasionally, negative correlations were detected among nut and kernel traits. Morphological traits were categorized by principle-components analysis (PCA) into 6 components which explained 88.1 % of the total variation. On the basis of the first two PCA axes, the 2-dimensional PCA plot grouped the samples according to their phenotypic characteristics. The results from molecular analyses (including a Bayesian clustering approach and a molecular phylogenetic network) did not correspond to morphological groupings. In this paper we report, for the first time, morphological and molecular variability and genetic structure of Iranian almond germplasm. Our results showed that model-based cluster analysis (using Structure software) was very appropriate for study of genetic relationships among almond accessions and can be used for study of the genetic structure of Prunus germplasm as well.

In the present research, the chemical composition of the essential oils from Ferulago angulata and Tetrataenium lasiopetalum were analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity of the extracts and essential oils of both species was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (Gram-positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacteria), using agar disk diffusion and micro-dilution methods. Our results showed that essential oil from F. angulata was a rich source of cis-β-ocimene, α-pinene and α-phellandrene and can be used in industries such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food. Additionally, T. lasiopetalum essential oil had high percentage of camphene, germacrene-D, and 1,8-cineole. Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria to all oils and extracts. The results of our study showed that in both species, especially T. lasiopetalum, the extract and essential oils exhibited reliable inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and have the potential to be considered as natural alternatives for food preservatives.

Almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] is one of the species of genus Prunus and subgenus Amygdalus (Rosaceae, subfamily Prunoideae). It is grown commercially worldwide. Iran is one of the main growing areas for commercial and wild almonds due to its suitable climatic conditions. Wild almond species are known to be tolerant to harsh environmental conditions such as drought. They also can be used as rootstock or can be employed in improvement programs. In this study, 62 genotypes including eight different species were evaluated by measuring 15 morphological traits. Correlation coefficient showed significant correlation among length of trunk, diameter of trunk, tree vigor, foliage density, length of main branches, thickness of one year old shoot, leaf length and width, leaf area and the leaf length/width ratio. Principal component analysis showed that length of main branches, ramification, length of one year old shoot, leaf length and width, leaf area and the length/width ratio of leaf had highest loading in the first component that accounted for 35.6% of total variation (67.8%). Cluster analysis divided genotypes into two main groups and wild species were separated at distance of 5 from the others.

Iran is worldwide one of the main growing regions for commercial and wild almonds due to its suitable climatic conditions. In this study, we characterized using RAPDs the genetic diversity and relationships between 62 almond genotypes, including eight related species (P. dulcis, P. scoparia, P. arabica, P. eburnea, P. erioclada, P. lycioides, P. orientalis and P. communis). Sixteen RAPD primers (TIBMOLBIOL Co., Germany) produced 260 bands from which 250 were polymorphic (96.15%). Total resolving power (Rp) was 121.83, ranging from a minimum of 4.25 for TIBMBB-16 to a maximum of 11.64 for TIBMBD-05. Jaccard similarity coefficient was calculated and was used to construct an UPGMA dendro-gram. Similarity values among the studied genotypes ranged between 0.28 and 0.79 with an average of 0.53. Cluster analysis and principle coordinate analysis (PCoA), partially discriminated the genotypes studied regarding their geographical origin. At the similarity of 0.52 in the dendrogram, the genotypes were divided into four sub-clusters. Our results indicated a wide genetic diversity at molecular level for the existing almond germplasm in Iran.