The eco-geographic distribution and molecular diversity of wild akkob (Gundelia tournefortii L.) in Jordan

Akkob (Gundelia tournefortii L.) is an important edible plant growing wild in Jordan and itRSQUOs known for its pharmaceutical value. Nineteen populations of G. tournefortii were collected from various regions in Jordan represented three eco-geographic systems. RAPD and SSR markers were used to assess genetic diversity of akkob populations. Twenty-four primers were used to amplify 51 bands out of which 42 (82.4%) were polymorphic. Cluster analysis was able to produce three major groups and four subgroups and the genetic distance was 8.58. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed differences among groups accounted for 38.6% of the total variation, whereas differences among populations and within populations were 40.9 and 20.5%, respectively.