Evaluation of Diversity in Spinach Populations based on Cytogenetical Characteristics and their Relation with Morphological and Physiological Traits

Iran is considered as one of the main centers of diversity of spinach species and one of the biggest producers, worldwide. However, there is no comprehensive information on the chromosomal characteristics of its wild species and the possible association of these indices with morphological and physiological features. The present study was conducted to analyze these characteristics in different populations of Iranian wild spinach compared to a commercial cultivar (Spinacia oleracea cv. Viroflay). The results showed that the seven spinach populations studied were diploids (2x = 2n = 12), and interestingly, the most of observed chromosomes were sub-metacentric. In case of morphophysiological traits, significant differences were observed for the most of measured traits and all morphological traits except number of leaves were higher in domestic species than the other two wild species. The results of physiological traits showed the highest content of anthocyanin and total chlorophyll, respectively, in Spinacia oleracea and S. tetrandra, and there was no significant difference among studied species for carotenoids content. In addition, the correlation coefficients showed significant correlations among chromosomal features, morphological characteristics and physiological traits. For example, with increase in the total length and the long arm of chromosomes, the number of leaves was increased and the content of chlorophyll a was decreased. Further, these species could be utilized in the breeding program to develop high yielding genotypes.