Genetic Diversity Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Tunisian Figs (Ficus carica L.)

In Tunisia, fig (Ficus carica L.), a well-adapted species to diverse soils and climates, is mainly associated with other fruit crops such as date palms and olives. Therefore, a large array of genotypes has been identified. These, mainly selected for fruit quality and clonally propagated, are threatened by severe genetic erosion. Thus, investigations aiming at the genetic diversity in the local germplasm have become imperative. For this purpose, we became interested in the cultivar molecular characterization using microsatellite markers (inter simple sequence repeats "ISSR" together with simple sequence repeats "SSR"). As a result, our data proved that a high level of typically continuous diversity characterizes the cultivars studied. In addition, taking advantages of the multilocus genotyping, a cultivar identification key has been successfully established and permitted to unambiguously differentiate between the cultivars studied. Data are discussed in relation to the suitability of the ecotypes' DNA fingerprints to improve breeding programs and to rationally manage the preservation of the local fig germplasm.