Abstract

In the arid and semi arid areas, salt bush (Atriplex) represents an important forage resource. The characterization of the genetic diversity of these species is useful for their classification, their conservation and their improvement. In this context, we used the random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique to test the genotypes of three different species of Atriplex: Atriplex halimus,Atriplex canescens and Atriplex nummularia. The Obtained results showed 319 amplified bands which were mostly polymorphic. The analysis of the results generated four different groups where the genotypes of two introduced species (A. canescens and A. nummularia) were clustered into two independent groups. However, genotypes of the autochthonous species (A. halimus) was subdivided into two different independent groups where we noted that individuals of one of these groups are genetically the nearest between them, by report, to the existing others within the same group. In general, results reveal inter and intra high level of genetic diversity in the Atriplex studied species.

Key words: Atriplex, Chenopodiaceae, genetic diversity, molecular analysis, steppe, Algeria.