Molecular characterisation of some species of the genus ferula l. using iPBS-retransposon dna markers

In this thesis study, the genetic diversity of a total of 76 genotypes belonging to 20 different species of the genus Ferula L., which naturally occur in Turkey, was evaluated using iPBS-retrotransposon DNA markers. Within the scope of the research, the genetic structures of the genotypes were examined using iPBS markers, and the genetic differences among the species were analyzed in detail. Out of 83 iPBS primers tested, 10 were found suitable for analysis, and a total of 80 polymorphic bands were obtained with these primers. The number of observed alleles per primer ranged from 5 to 15, and the average Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value was calculated as 0.251. As a result of the genetic diversity analyses, the mean effective number of alleles (Ne) was determined as 1.554, Nei's genetic diversity index (h) as 0.3234, and the Shannon's information index (I) as 0.4868. The molecular data obtained were analyzed using the software programs NTSYSpc (Dice similarity coefficient), POPGEN1.32, and STRUCTURE. Clustering analyses revealed that the genotypes were grouped according to their genetic similarity levels. The genetic structure analysis indicated that the individuals were divided into two distinct subgroups. The findings demonstrate that iPBS-retrotransposon markers are an effective tool for revealing the genetic diversity of Ferula species. We believe that this study will make important contributions to genetic, phylogenetic and conservation biology research on the genus Ferula.