African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 7 (1), pp. 044-050, 4 January 2008   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2008 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Study of genetic polymorphism of Artemisia herba-alba from Tunisia using ISSR markers

Haouari Mohsen* and Ferchichi Ali

Laboratoire d'Aridoculture et Culture Oasienne, Institut des Régions Arides 4119 Medenine- Tunisia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: haouari.m@gmail.com.

Accepted 20 August, 2007

Artemisia herba-alba is an herbaceous aromatic and therapeutic plant widely distributed in semi-arid regions of Tunisia and is potentially usable to restore degraded ecosystems. A study of genetic variation among 216 accessions was conducted using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers to assess the polymorphism at the species level. A total of 60 polymorphic loci were scored using four primers revealing a high level of genetic polymorphism among A. herba-alba accessions. Correlation analysis revealed no direct relation between morphological traits, geographic distance and genetic distance. Correlogram analysis showed a patchy distribution of the genetic variability of A. herba-alba accessions revealing the contribution of local ecological and geographic conditions on variability.

Key words: Artemisia herba-alba, DNA extraction, genetic polymorphism, ISSR markers.