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Analysis of Genetic Variation in Natural Populations of Medicago truncatula of Southern Tunisian Ecological Areas, Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers

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Abstract

We used 19 quantitative traits and 14 microsatellite markers (SSRs) to analyze the genetic variation in four natural populations of the model legume Medicago truncatula sampled in southern Tunisia. The greatest genetic variation of quantitative traits and molecular markers occurred within populations (>71%). In contrast to quantitative population differentiation (Q ST  = 0.09), a high level of molecular differentiation (F ST  = 0.23) was found among populations. The majority of quantitative traits exhibited Q ST values significantly less than F ST values, suggesting that selection may be acting to suppress differentiation for these traits. There was no significant correlation between genetic variation of quantitative traits and molecular markers within populations. On the other hand, significant correlations were found between measured quantitative characters and the site-of-origin environmental factors. The eco-geographical factors with the greatest influence on the variation of measured traits among populations were altitude, followed by soil texture, assimilated phosphorus (P2O5) and organic matter. Nevertheless, there were no consistent patterns of associations between gene diversity (He) and eco-geographical factors.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Eric von Wettberg (University of California Davis, USA) for a critical reading of the manuscript, Wael Taamalli (Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Tunisia) for his excellent statistical analysis help and both anonymous reviewers for helpful comments. This research was partially supported by Tunisian-French collaborative programs (CMCU 00F0909 and PICS 712).

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  1. Mohamed Elarbi Aouani

    Present address: New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), NEPAD/North Africa Biosciences Network, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St, Cairo, 12311, Egypt

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Interactions Légumineuses Microorganismes, Centre de Biotechnologie, Technopôle de Borj-Cédria, B.P. 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia

    Soumaya Arraouadi, Mounawer Badri, Naceur Djébali & Mohamed Elarbi Aouani

  2. Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamilnadu, India

    Cheruth Abdul Jaleel

  3. Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d’Ingénieurs de Bizerte, Université 7 Novembre à Carthage, 7021, Zarzouna, Tunisia

    Houcine Ilahi

  4. Laboratoire de Symbiose et Pathologie des Plantes, INP-ENSAT, B.P. 107, 31326, Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France

    Thierry Huguet

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  1. Soumaya Arraouadi
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Correspondence to Mounawer Badri.

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Arraouadi, S., Badri, M., Jaleel, C.A. et al. Analysis of Genetic Variation in Natural Populations of Medicago truncatula of Southern Tunisian Ecological Areas, Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers. Tropical Plant Biol. 2, 122–132 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12042-009-9034-5

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