THE HIGH economic importance of the genus Vicia has led to a large body of studies on the molecular characterization and investigation of phylogenetic relationships among species that belonged to this genus. The Mediterranean area is the principal center of distribution and diversification where polymorphism has been associated with the geographical origin of germplasm (ICARDA, 2013). The extent of genetic diversity in germplasm can be assessed through morphological characterization and genetic markers. The molecular techniques have a more accurate evaluation of the genetic and environmental components of variation, bringing greater precision to measures of genetic diversity.
The present study is a molecular analysis of Vicia germplasm through ISSR and ITS techniques. The objectives were to determine the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship among defined 19 accessions, collected by ICARDA from different countries and habitats, representing nine Vicia species and subspecies: V. ervilia; V. monantha; V. villosa subsp. villosa, V. villosa subsp. dasycarpa and V. villosa subsp. eriocarpa; V. sativa subsp. nigra, subsp. amphicarpa, subsp. macrocacrpa and subsp. sativa. The patterns of variation of those accessions were studied by the numerical analysis of data to generate pertinent genetic information for the complement of passport data of ICARDA germplasm collections.