Genetic diversity of roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) in North-Norway

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.), an adaptogenic herb, has received increased attention in the last years. Genetic diversity of roseroot in Northern-Norway was studied with ISSR markers. Plants were collected in Finnmark County, Norway at 10 habitats. Using 8 ISSR primers 53 DNA fragments were generated and 92.45% of those were found to be polymorphic, indicating high genetic variability at the species level (Shannon index = 0,4122). Lower level of diversity was detected at the population level (Shannon-index ranged from 0.21 to 0.36). Generated UPGMA dendrogram revealed 2 groups. An attempt was made to connect molecular marker data to the pharmacologically important glycoside content of the plants. The habitat with the lowest glycoside content separated from the others on the dendrogram, but no ISSR marker could be assigned to this trait. AMOVA showed that molecular variance has no effect on the glycoside content, it is only effected by environmental factors.