Analysis of differentiation (genetic diversity and related relationships)
among 22 landrace (Ficus carica L. sativa) and 2 wild form (F.
carica L. caprificus) accessions of fig growing under the same
environmental conditions in the Palestinian Fig Collection, Til, Nablus,
Palestine, using PCR-based Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and
pomological markers, revealed considerable genetic diversity. The phenotypic
analysis shows that pomological traits were permitted to evaluate morphological
variability of fig landraces. The Jaccard similarity coefficient between landraces
was determined by cluster analysis using the UPGMA method. Based on the genetic
relationships among genotypes as illustrated by the dendrograms, generated from
pomological and RAPD data by UPGMA clustering method, the following 12
genotypes: Qaisi, Mwazi, Barqawi, Inaqi, Swadi, Kharobi, Hmadibiadi, Sfari,
Khdari, Biadi, Qrawi, and Slati, may be considered as distinct landraces. The
remaining genotypes may be considered as synonymous (4) (Hmadi and Hmari, and
Ajloni and Adloni), or closely related (6) landraces (Zraqi and Ghzali, Blati
and Neami, and Qraee and Khurtmani). The wild fig forms clustered together and
may be considered as distinct genotypes. Clustering patterns obtained from the
combined (pomological and RAPD) markers had higher discriminatory power to
discriminate fig landraces than using either pomological or RAPD markers alone.
These results proved the importance of both pomological and RAPD markers to
elucidate in part denomination problems and relationships among cultivars. Wide
phenotypic and molecular diversity found in fig germplasm indicates a
considerable potential for improving this crop.