Variation in 27 morphological traits and 105ISSR markers were used to
elucidate the genetic diversity innine populations of Achilleasantolina in
Egypt. Two populations (Coded S8 and S9)which grow in El-Hammam
and Burg El-Arab,65 and 40kmwest of Alexandria respectively were
clearly differentiated from other populations growing further westto
150Km west of Matrouh City towards the Libyan borders on the
Mediterranean coast. The ISSR data clearly distinguished a population
coded S1 which grows 140 west of Matrouh City(250 km west of
Alexandria). The morphological traits showed much closer resemblance
among populations compared to ISSR polymorphism but agree with ISSR
data in supporting the idea of a possible gene flow in the populations of A.
santolinagrowing in close locations and limited gene flow among
populations distributed in geographically distantlocations.Knowledge of
the amount and distribution of genetic variability reported here is helpful
for further assessment of genetic resources and provides information for
authentication of Egyptian material and conservation of A. santolina in
Egypt. The data reported here is also potentially useful in future efforts to
restore degraded ecosystems in the semi-arid regions of the country.