Phenotypic and phytochemical diversity among different populations of Stachys lavandulifolia

Stachys lavandulifolia is an herb growing wild in Iran with interesting medicinal properties. In this research, the variability of morphological characters and phytochemical compositions among and within eight populations of this species was studied. Characteristics including inflorescence length, internode length, leaf shape, corolla color, state of calyx trichomes, state of leaf trichomes and corolla length were the most variable morphological characteristics among the examined populations. The phytochemical characterization revealed 45 components in the essential oils. Germacrene D and δ-cadinene were the main component with the highest contents. α-Copaene was positively correlated with δ-cadinene and limonene, while germacrene D was negatively correlated with δ-cadinene. UPGMA dendrogram constructed based on combined data of morphological variables and phytochemical compositions distinguished studied populations with high inter- and intra-population diversity. The high level of phytochemical and morphological variability among and within the studied populations suggests a breeding approach during the domestication, to gain new, promising, and homogenous cultivars, attractive for the industry and agriculture.     

Population genetic structure and trait associations in forest savory using molecular,morphological and phytochemical markers

In this investigation, morphological, phytochemical and ISSR markers were used to estimate the relationships among and within seven populations of white savory (Satureja mutica), belonging to four provinces in Iran. The individuals were phenotypically diverse, which stamen length, corolla length, corolla diameter, calyx length, bract length, inflorescence length, calyx length and bracteole width were characteristics with the highest variation. Leaf dimensions were in significant correlation with flower and inflorescence characteristics. Chemical compounds of essential oils were found variable in various individuals and all samples were principally composed of phenolic constituents (carvacrol and/or thymol). As a consequence, the plants were classified into two major chemotypes including carvacrol and thymol. A total of 197 band positions were produced by 14 ISSR primers, of which 176 were found polymorphic with 88.91% polymorphism. ISSR genetic similarity values among individuals ranged between 0.45 and 0.94 which was indicative of a high level of genetic variation. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) revealed that phytochemical compositions as dependent variable, showed statistically significant correlation and in association with leaf and flower traits as independent variable, indicating a main role of leaf and flower on production of these compounds. Also, several ISSR fragments were found associated with some morphological traits and phytochemical compositions. The high diversity within and among populations of S. mutica according to different data systems could provide useful information for conservation and selection of cross-parents in breeding programs.     

Assessment of Genetic Diversity,Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L.

The mosquito repellent Nepetalactone rich Nepeta cataria L. (catmint) plant has a variety of therapeutic and industrial potential. Reports on the genetic diversity of N. cataria germplasm are minimal globally and need attention for adding a new variety into commercial cultivation. The present study, therefore, assessed the genetic diversity among thirteen half-sib genotypes of N. cataria using agro economic and phytochemical traits. The experimental set has shown substantial variation for agro economic traits studied. Among all the studied populations, fresh herb-based essential oil content ranged from 0.1 % to 0.3 %, with a grand mean of 1.67 %. However, the estimated oil yield ranged from 44.4 kg/h to 120.73 kg/h with an average of 71.34 kg/h. Among the eleven phytochemical constituents detected in different concentrations in the essential oil of experimental sets, 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone (67.9–87.5 %) constituted the significant proportion of essential oil. Altogether, based on mean comparison, the population NC8 was found to be promising for estimated oil yield and 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone content. The greater heritability estimates (h²bs) and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) were observed for important economic parameters, i. e., oil content, herb yield, and oil yield. The cluster analysis revealed the least interactions between various agro economic and phytochemical variables. The microscopic study of trichome showed a positive correlation of abaxial leaf surface with essential oil content. The promising antimicrobial potential of catmint oil was also observed against human health-related pathogens. The results infer from our study provide valuable insight for genetic improvement and product development in the catmint germplasm.     

Variation in morphological characters,chemical composition,and anthocyanin content of different Chrysanthemum morifolium cultivars from Iran

The morphological traits, essential oil composition, and anthocyanin content of 17 Iranian C. morifolium cultivars were evaluated. Based on Shannon diversity index (I), such morphological characters as flower head diameter, ray floret, shape of apex, and main color of ray floret revealed more variability than the other traits. Significant genotypic variations were also observed in essential oil content (ranging from 0.1 to 0.56% (w/w)) and composition. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the essential oil was conducted to identify 47 compounds in which camphor (0–44.6%), chrysanthenone (0–48.96%), chrysanthenyl acetate (0–16.22%), verbenol (0–11.78%), (+)-5-epi-neointermedeol (0–25.41%), and aromadendrene (0–14.98%) were the main constituents. Results of cluster analysis of essential oil compositions divided the cultivars into four groups. Hybridization among cultivars of divergent clusters led to heterotic effects for flower quality and phytochemical characters. The relationships established between the components revealed high correlations of anthocyanin with the two major aroma compounds of verbenol and chrysanthenyl acetate while they also provided a clue to the association between aroma compounds and color pigmentation. Moreover, a correlation was established between chrysanthenone and flower head diameter (r = −0.502). Based on the results obtained, it might be suggested that smaller flowers are capable of accumulating higher amounts of chrysanthenone. Clearly, the associations between morphological traits and essential oil components provide new insights for improved breeding programs in chrysanthemum.     

Essential oil variation and antioxidant capacity of Mentha pulegium populations and their relation to ecological factors

Mentha pulegium L. is an aromatic herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family, a wild plant which is distributed in different areas of Iran. In this research, we evaluated the variability of essential oil content and compositions of 12 M. pulegium populations. Essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods. The essential oils content varied from 0.22 to 1.63% w/w within different populations. Twenty-nine compounds were identified which represent 83.4–98.7% of the total essential oil. The most significant essential oil compounds among the studied population were identified using the principal components analysis (PCA-biplot). According to the PCA-biplot, the major compounds were pulegone (2.5–51.7%), menthone (0.2–25.3%), limonene (0.0–35.4%), 1,8-cineol (0.0–33.4%), piperitenone oxide (0.2–55.2%), and trans-piperitone epoxide (0.0–28.5%). Besides, hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that the studied populations were classified into two main clusters based on the essential oil components. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that some environmental factors could influence the phytochemical constituents as well as the antioxidant activity. The temperature and altitude were effective environmental factors with regards to 1–8 cineol, limonene and menthone content, while average rainfall was the most effective factor with respect to trans-piperitone epoxide, piperitenone oxide, and pulegone content. Our results consequently showed that environmental factors had a significant effect on the essential oil content and its antioxidant activity in M. pulegium populations.     

猕猴桃(Actinidia Lindl.)叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性研究

以猕猴桃属中华猕猴桃（Actinidia chinensis）32个品种和1个种间杂交后代群体为研究对象,对猕猴桃属植物叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性进行了研究。结果表明,在中华猕猴桃种内水平上,幼果与成熟果实的果肉维生素C含量间存在极显著的正相关关系;在种间杂交后代群体中成熟叶片和成熟果实的维生素C含量存在极显著正相关关系,为利用早期相关性状开展猕猴桃育种的可行性提供了理论依据。此外,对15个常见中华猕猴桃品种的果实维生素C含量进行了多重比较,为人工杂交时的亲本选择提供了依据。     

猕猴桃(Actinidia Lindl.)叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性研究

以猕猴桃属中华猕猴桃(Actinidia chinensis)32个品种和1个种间杂交后代群体为研究对象,对猕猴桃属植物叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性进行了研究。结果表明,在中华猕猴桃种内水平上,幼果与成熟果实的果肉维生素C含量间存在极显著的正相关关系;在种间杂交后代群体中成熟叶片和成熟果实的维生素C含量存在极显著正相关关系,为利用早期相关性状开展猕猴桃育种的可行性提供了理论依据。此外,对15个常见中华猕猴桃品种的果实维生素C含量进行了多重比较,为人工杂交时的亲本选择提供了依据。     

Comparative analysis of essential oil compositions in seven populations of Bakhtiarian savory in natural and field conditions

Bakhtiarian savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge) is an endemic herb growing wild in Iran with interesting pharmacological and biological properties. In this research, the variability of essential oil content and phytochemical compositions among seven populations of this species was studied in both natural and field conditions. There was a wide interpopulation variability in phytochemical variation of studied populations under both natural and field conditions, indicating the existence of different chemotypes. Six chemical compositions showed high value in studied plants so that carvacrol and thymol were known as major compounds and confirmed by principal component analysis. Ilam population had the highest thymol in both field (77.10 %) and natural (42.32 %) conditions and was known as a thymol chemotype. Beside, Yazd and Shahrekord populations, respectively, showed the highest carvacrol percentages in both field (84.83 and 63.81 %) and natural (72.50 and 58.05 %) conditions and were known as carvacrol chemotypes. In other populations, carvacrol and thymol were the main components and showed partly equal percentage and these populations were known as carvacrol/thymol chemotypes. According to Pearson correlation analysis, carvacrol was negatively correlated with p-cymene, γ-terpinene and thymol (r = ?0.61, ?0.70 and ?0.98, respectively), indicating very high reverse correlation between carvacrol and thymol. In conclusion, the high value of the essential oil compositions in studied S. bachtiarica populations could provide useful information for conservation and selection of cross parents in breeding programs to develop improved cultivars.     

Variability in the Phytochemical Contents and Free Radical‐Scavenging Capacity of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum (Wild Piquin Chili)

The variability in the phytochemical concentrations of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum has not been extensively analyzed among wild populations and ecologic niches in its phylogeographic area. This study aimed to determine the variations in the phytochemical and antioxidant contents of the wild Piquin chili. The total flavonoid content of hydroalcoholic extracts (0.06 to 0.70 mg equivalent of quercetin per gram of dry weight (mg QE/g DW)), free radical‐scavenging capacity for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^.) radicals (0.55 to 8.55 mm TE/g DW), amount of 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺) in aqueous extracts (18.13 to 107.6 mm TE/g DW) and pungency (21,760 to 88,476 Scoville heat units) were highly variable. By analyzing the spatial distribution using the first three principal components, correlations between the phytochemical content and the free radical‐scavenging capacity (in both extracts) and flavonoid and phenolic contents (in the hydroalcoholic extract) were observed. Consistent with the statistical analysis, the spatial analysis showed intraregional differences in composition patterns, with an emphasis on central and coastal areas. Flavonoid contents, polyphenol contents and free radical‐scavenging activity were the phytochemical components that mainly contributed to the diversity of the population.     

不同居群山苍子果实精油和柠檬醛含量及其与地理-气候因子的相关性

采用水蒸气蒸馏法和气相色谱技术对取自浙江富阳、贵州毕节和织金、湖南永州、福建永安和建瓯、云南景东、四川长宁、江西安远和分宜10个居群的山苍子[ Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers.]果实精油含量和柠檬醛含量进行测定,并分析了果实精油含量和柠檬醛含量与地理-气候因子的相关性;在此基础上对供试居群进行了聚类分析.测定结果表明:各居群的果实精油含量和柠檬醛含量差异显著,精油含量均值为3.60％,变异系数(CV)为1.54％～10.46％;柠檬醛含量均值为3.52％,CV为24.78％ ～40.54％;云南景东居群精油含量最高(4.56％)、江西分宜居群最低(3.14％);福建永安居群柠檬醛含量最高(7.01％)、贵州毕节居群最低(1.85％),且柠檬醛含量的表型分化系数为57.87％,说明居群间柠檬醛含量的变异幅度大于精油含量,且居群间柠檬醛含量的变异程度大于居群内.相关性分析结果显示:山苍子果实精油含量与经度和7月均温呈极显著负相关,与年降雨量呈显著负相关,与海拔呈极显著正相关;柠檬醛含量与经度和年降雨量分别呈显著和极显著正相关,说明精油含量随经度增大而降低,且受环境水分和温度变化的影响较大;而柠檬醛含量随经度增大而提高,并明显受生境中水分条件的调节.聚类分析结果表明:在欧氏距离15处,供试的10个山苍子居群主要分成3类,根据地理位置大体可划分为西南部和东南部2个种质类型,其中福建永安居群较为特殊.研究结果表明:不同居群山苍子果实精油含量和柠檬醛含量差异与遗传特性、地理分布和生境气候条件均有一定的相关性.     

Conservation genetics of the rare and endangered Leucopogon obtectus (Ericaceae)

Leucopogon obtectus Benth. is a declared rare species found in the kwongan vegetation in Western Australia. Plants on a mineral sand mine and the rehabilitation area are subject to disturbance. Genetic diversity was examined within and among all known populations using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) for conservation. Both molecular markers revealed a high percentage (> 89%) of polymorphic markers and a high mean genetic distance among individuals (D = 0.3). Analysis of molecular variance showed that 86.7% (RAPD) and 89.7% (AFLP) of variability was partitioned among individuals within populations. Exact tests showed no significant population differentiation. The analyses indicated that L. obtectus exhibits high levels of genetic diversity despite small population sizes. The high levels of variability among individuals and the lack of clear population differentiation suggest that this species comprises a single, genetically diverse group. Conservation and management of L. obtectus should concentrate on maintaining the high levels of genetic variability through mixing genotypes and promoting outcrossing.     

Morphological variation and relationships of Georgian populations of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi

Georgia is considered as one of the regions where for the first time wild growing grapevine plants were used and taken into cultivation by men. An ampelographic and ampelometric study of leaf characters and flower landmark morphometrics was carried out in seven populations of wild grapevine located in four river basins of three geographic regions – Western (1 popul.), Eastern (5 popul.) and Southern (1 popul.) Georgia, and then compared using principal component analysis and multivariate discriminant analysis allowing the populations to be distinguished. Lengths of main leaf veins and nectaries in male flowers were the variables, which allowed the best discrimination among populations. A mutation leading to white-fruited grapevine is found in one population. Pubescence varies within populations and even within an individual genome and could be used as a discriminant trait only in combination with shapes and sizes of leaves and other morphological characters. The results revealed significant differences among populations located in different geographic regions of the Southern Caucasus area, but the five investigated populations from Eastern Georgia differ only insignificantly. The high morphological variability of wild grapevine in Georgia might be considered as characterizing the large gene pool that contributed to the domestication process of grapevine.     

Variation of bioactive substances and morphological traits in Hypericum perforatum populations from Northern Turkey

Hypericum perforatum L. has become one of the leading plant-based dietary supplements worldwide and its biological activities have been mainly attributed to hypericin and phenolic contents. The present study was conducted to determine chemical and morphological variability of H. perforatum sampled from different locations of Northern Turkey. The populations were investigated according to the hypericin, chlorogenic acid and the flavonoids, namely rutin, hyperoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, quercitrin and quercetin contents and morphological characters including leaf dark gland density, leaf area, leaf length/width ratio and plant height. Significant chemical and morphological variations were detected among the populations. Hypericin content among populations ranged between 0.44 and 2.82 mg/g dry weight, chlorogenic acid between 0.0 and 1.86 mg/g dry weight, rutin between 0.0 and 8.77 mg/g dry weight, hyperoside between 5.41 and 22.28 mg/g dry weight, quercitrin between 1.64 and 3.98 mg/g dry weight and quercetin between 1.01 and 1.76 mg/g dry weight. Hypericin content was found to be correlated positively with leaf dark gland density, however, negatively with leaf area and no correlation was detected between the other morphological traits and bioactive substances examined.     

福建山樱花形态多样性分化的研究

以闽、赣、粤、台4省13个种群292份福建山樱花种质为分析材料,对16个形态性状进行聚类分析和主成分分析。结果表明:福建山樱花不同个体间各性状均有明显差异,变异系数较大,优株选择潜力很大。系统聚类分析可将292份参试材料划分为2个表征群4个亚表征群,除重瓣型福建山樱花外,单瓣型福建山樱花的形态特征在种群间总体上无明显的分化规律,不同种群的个体交叉聚在同一个表征群内,但在同一亚表征群内,同一种群的多数个体常能聚在一起,表明种群之间在形态上发生了一定程度的分化,只是这种分化还不能清楚地区分不同的种群。主成分分析结果表明叶形、叶尖、叶缘、分枝能力、60 d苗高、花色和花形是造成福建山樱花形态分化的主要因素。     

Genetic characterization and phytochemical analysis of wild and cultivated populations of Scutellaria baicalensis

Scutellaria baicalensis was collected from four wild and four cultivated populations from different locations in China. Forty-two samples were analyzed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques for genetic profiling, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to determine the flavonoid content. The selected 23 RAPD primers yielded a total of 838 clear and reproducible bands of which 237 were found to be polymorphic. The wild population exhibited higher polymorphism than that of the cultivated population. The dendrogram generated by the UPGMA method via Nei's genetic distance revealed three distinct genotypes from the cultivated populations and several branches from the wild populations. The contents of baicalin and wogonoside in dried roots of the samples ranged from (w/w) 8.63 to 17.84%, and from 1.99 to 4.21%, respectively, whereas their aglycones, baicalein and wogonin, were within the range of only 0.04-0.23%. The total content of the four flavonoids varied from 9.45 to 26.24%. Comparatively, the cultivated populations contained much higher levels of baicalin and total flavonoids than those in the wild populations. The results from genetic characterization and phytochemical analysis demonstrated that the quality variation of this drug was mainly determined by extrinsic environmental or agricultural factors, rather than by genetic differences. Our findings can be used for the commercial production and germplasm management of this medicinal plant.     

76株薄壳山核桃实生单株的果实品质差异及综合评价

对南京地区种植的76株薄壳山核桃〔Carya illinoinensis(Wangenh.)K.Koch〕实生单株的8项果实性状和种仁中5种脂肪酸含量的差异以及各指标的相关性进行分析,并筛选出单项性状优良的单株;在此基础上,结合主成分分析结果,对供试76株单株的果实品质进行综合评价.结果显示:8项果实性状(包括坚果质量、种仁鲜质量、坚果壳厚度、坚果纵径、坚果横径、果形指数、出仁率和含油率)以及种仁中5种脂肪酸(包括棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸和亚麻酸)的含量均有较大变异,变异系数为663%~2899%,其中,出仁率的变异系数最小,亚麻酸含量的变异系数最大,8项果实性状的变异系数总体上小于5种脂肪酸含量的变异系数.部分果实性状间极显著或显著正相关,少数果实性状间极显著或显著负相关,而5种脂肪酸含量间均极显著正相关,但脂肪酸含量与果实性状间总体上无显著相关性.主成分分析结果表明:在8项果实性状中,与坚果大小有关的性状较为重要;而5种脂肪酸含量均同等重要.对果实性状和脂肪酸含量的主成分分析结果显示:第1主成分的决定指标包括含油率以及棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸和亚麻酸的含量,第2主成分的决定指标包括坚果质量、种仁鲜质量、坚果壳厚度和坚果横径,说明薄壳山核桃果实评价的首要指标为种仁中脂肪酸含量,其次为果实大小.在利用坚果质量、种仁鲜质量、坚果壳厚度、出仁率、含油率、果形指数、油酸含量和不饱和脂肪酸含量8个单项指标优选单株的基础上,结合主成分分析结果,71号单株的综合得分较高,其种仁鲜质量、含油率以及油酸和不饱和脂肪酸的含量均较高,可作为优良品种选育的首选候选单株.根据上述研究结果,建议在薄壳山核桃不同育种目标的优良品种选育工作中,将主成分分析法作为单项性状筛选法的有效补充方法.     

Genetic and phytochemical diversity analysis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium persicum</Emphasis> populations of north-western Himalaya

The present study explores morphological, genetic and phytochemical composition of Bunium persicum populations belonging to high altitudinal areas of Indian Himalayan region. In total, 23 morphological traits (13 quantitative and 10 qualitative traits) and 32 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA primers were employed to infer the population structure of the species. Of the fourteen populations, five genetically diverse populations were analyzed for phytochemical diversity. Among morphological traits, inflorescence, seed and branch traits were most significant in detecting variation. At molecular level, primers TIBMBA-06 and OPR-16 were found most polymorphic with respect to Polymorphism Information Content and Marker Index values. Dendrogram grouped all populations into two major clusters while population from Shong region out grouped separately showing its distantness from all other populations. STRUCTURE analysis was done by using Bayesian model, which characterised all populations into four clusters and some degree of admixture was also observed within individuals. Shong population showed distinct genetic makeup as also suggested by dendrogram. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of 55 components, of which, 2-methyl-3-phenyl propanal, benzeneacetic acid, 1-phellandrene, γ-terpene, α-terpinolene, Δ0.3-carene and sabinene were major components in its essential oils. The present study revealed high genetic and phytochemical diversity in B. persicum accessions from north-western Himalayan regions. Specifically, accessions from Saptal regions were having higher quantity of essential oils and can be selected for cultivation to meet the commercial demand to some extent. Further, the diversity information provided herein can be useful in management and improvement of this species through future breeding programmes.     

Morphological and molecular diversity among populations of Quercus brantii Lindl. in western forest of Iran

Abstract

This study represents a preliminary step toward understanding the genetic structure of Persian oak in Iran. The genetic variability of Quercus brantii in Western forest of Iran was evaluated by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), chloroplast microsatellite and leaf morphology. Fifty-five trees from eight regions were sampled from across the range of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran. Twenty morphological traits were analyzed through clustering and ordination method. At morphological level, the applied statistics suggest that macromorphological traits significantly differentiate between populations. The overall sample shows a proportion of AFLP polymorphic markers of 92.1%, denoting a high level of variability. Based on AFLP data, differences among populations within geographic regions account for 11.6% of the total variation and only 0.57% is attributed to variation among regions. Based on chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR), 34% of total variation was found among populations, suggesting a high within-population haplotype diversity. The dendrogram obtained from cpSSR showed a general pattern quite different from the pattern obtained from morphological analysis and AFLP markers.     

黄河下游湿地芦苇形态变异研究

 以水盐为主导生态因子,分析了黄河下游湿地芦苇(Phragmites australis)种群形态变异的水平与格局。对基径、株高、叶长、叶宽、节间长、节间数和穗长7个形态特征在15个种群中的变异分析表明：种群内个体间形态差异极显著,7个形态特征在种群内的变异系数从大到小依次为节间长（0.284 6）、叶宽（0.253 6）、穗长（0.244 9）、叶长（0.208 5）、基径（0.187 5）、节间数（0.176 3）、株高（0.165 7）; 7个形态特征在种群间的变异度从大到小依次为株高、叶长、节间长、叶宽、基径、节间数、穗长,但种群间形态的显著差异主要存在于滨州种群（BZH）、淡水种群（ZHG、DPH、NYH,土壤总盐度<0.1%）、盐生种群（HS01、HS02、HS03、HS04、HS05、DWL、KD、GD、LZH、LJ、DLH,土壤总盐度>0.3%）之间,在来自相似生境的种群间形态差异普遍不显著;7个形态特征均与水盐联合影响因子显著相关;以形态特征为基础的聚类分析将研究的15个种群分为显著不同的３类。因此,根据黄河下游湿地芦苇形态变异规律和分化特点,建议将该地区芦苇分为盐生芦苇、淡水芦苇、巨型芦苇3个形态类型。     

Phenotypic and genetic variability of three natural populations of Atriplex halimus

Three natural populations of Atriplex halimus, located in three different climatic contexts, were studied using leaf characteristics (leaf area, leaf length-to-maximum-width ratio, average width of the leaves and leave-to-branch ratio) and isoenzymatic markers. The study showed the existence of a highly significant phenotypical variability. This variability is all the more significant, as populations are geographically distant and located in different climates. The gradual character of this morphological variability, along a climatic gradient, indicates that it is almost a clinical differentiation. Clones obtained from semi-woody cuttings taken on the level of each population and placed in a common parcel have maintained the same leaf characteristics as the population sources, suggesting the genetic origin of this variability. The study of four isoenzymatic systems confirms the existence of this variability. Thus, the percentage of polymorphic loci (P), the expected heterozygosity (He) and the mean number of alleles per locus (A) are of 77.52%, 0.319, and 1.99, respectively. The genetic diversity index (Fst) obtained is 0.089.