Evaluation of genetic diversity among some wild populations of Achillea bieberstenii Afan. from Iran using morphological and agronomical traits

In this study, genetic diversity among 25 populations (each population 6 plants) of Achillea bieberstenii Afan. collected from 12 provinces of Iran using a total of 35 morphological and agronomical characteristics including 31 quantitative and 4 qualitative traits was evaluated as an important step for possible use in the breeding programs of this medicinal plant. According to the results of analysis of variance, there were significant differences among the studied populations for some important characters. Also, results of simple correlation analysis were shown the significant positive and negative correlations among some important characters. Factor analysis was also used for defining of the determinant factors and the characters constituted in each factor. In Principal component analysis (PCA), 10 main and independent factors with over Eigen values than two explained 85.36% of the total variation related to main effective characters. Based on the constructed dendrogram, 25 populations of A. biebersteinii were clearly divided into 11 main clusters. Groups mainly have differences in yield and yield components. In this investigation not only was observed high variation for studied morphological characteristics but also some native populations were clearly shown their valuable breeding potential in some agronomical traits for breeding programs and medicinal purposes.