A research on the ornamental plant properties, domestication possibilities, and molecular characterization of silene compacta Fischer

In the urban life, where the contact of human beings with the soil is greatly reduced, the interest in nature, green and flowers is increasing day by day. Silene compacta Fischer is an ornamental plant species in the genus Silene L. of the Caryophyllaceae family. This study was carried out between 2019-2021 in 4 different regions, namely Bolu, Nevşehir, Isparta and İzmir. In the study, plant height 10-150 cm, flowering head height 24.2-61.4 mm, head diameter 33.3-105.2 mm, average flowering branch weight 4.99-22.08 g, capsule seed number 50-200, 1000 seed weight 0.025-0.080 g, mean vase life was 7.9-11.3 days, seed germination rate was 12-100%, germination time was found between 3.4-5.5 days. In general, 46% rooting was achieved, with the highest rooting rate of 70% from 2000 ppm IBA application. Molecular characterization of 40 plant genotypes collected from four different regions was performed with 10 ISSR primers. According to the UPGMA dendrogram analysis, 2 main clades were formed and each of these two main clades was divided into two sub clades. It has been determined that each of the four sub-clades formed represents only one of the four regions. Therefore, it has been determined that 10 different ISSR primers used can be used for genetically regional differentiation of Silene compacta species. According to the Neighbor-Joining dendogram, while 2 main clades and two sub-clades belonging to each of these two main clades were formed, it was seen that the sub-clades did not represent a specific region. While a total of 145 bands, 140 polymorphic and 5 monomorphic, varying in the range of 250-3500 bp were obtained, the polymorphism rates of the primers were found to be between 86.67-100%. Besides, it has been determined that Silene compacta has a very high potential both for phytoremediation due to its tolerance to some heavy metals and for biological control due to its adhesive property in its body. As a result; It has been determined that Silene compacta, singly or in groups, is a plant species with a high potential for use as a median, border or rock plant for outdoor decorations.