Diversity analysis and genetic relationships among local Algerian fig cultivars (Ficus carica l.) using SSR markers

The common fig (Ficus carica L.) is an emblematic fruit tree in Mediterranean basin with complicated misidentification. A good management and conservation of local cultivars involve a prior genetic assessment of the variability presented in germplasm collections. This study characterizes for the first time the genetic variability of Algerian fig cultivars. In total, 34 fig cultivars from a local germplasm collection and a private orchard were analyzed using 24 SSR markers in order to evaluate the genetic diversity and the relationship among local Algerian cultivars. The polymorphic markers amplified a total of 79 fragments with a mean number of 3.59 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.039 to 0.84, with a mean of 0.46. The expected heterozygosity varied from 0.074 to 0.74, with a mean of 0.42. The total value of probability of identity was 3.24 × 10− 8. Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed cases of synonymies and homonymies in the cultivars analyzed and some groups were related to fruit production type. The combination of only three SSR allowed to unequivocally distinguish 13 cultivars. Bayesian analysis showed a subtle genetic structure and depicted an admixture origin for most accessions.