Isozyme variation in some populations of wild diploid wheats in Iran

Isozyme electrophoresis data of seed extracts from 11 populations of diploid wheat species (Triticum boeoticum Bioss. and Triticum urartu Thumanian ex Gandilyan), distributed mainly in the western and west-northern Iran, were investigated. The five enzyme systems used were peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, malate dehydrogenase and catalase. The first three were found to be useful as molecular marker for characterization of diploid wheat populations. A total of 13 bands from three enzyme systems were recorded. The value of a ‘Jaccard's’ similarity coefficient ranges from 0.333 to 1.000. Data analysis was done using clustering method UPGMA. On the basis of Jaccard's coefficient, the obtained dendrogram supports previous relationship between T. boeoticum and T. urartu as separate species as well as reflecting their distinct gene pools and substantiating their specific recognition despite the overall morphological similarity.