Biochemical and Molecular Markers Differentiate Ficus Species from Four Locations in Saudi Arabia

HEREIN, the biochemical and molecular genetic variability among some Ficus species collected from four locations (Shafa, Baha, Hawia, and Hada) in Saudi Arabia were studied using protein, isozyme profiles, and random amplified polymorphic DNA from PCR (RAPD) analysis. Results revealed significant variations among Ficus species. A significant level of polymorphism (96.5%) was recorded at the protein level. For all isozymes, high polymorphism, between 67% and 100%, was detected. The dendrogram, generated using pooled data from SDS-PAGE and isozyme studies, divided species into a main cluster including all accessions except a single species, F. ingens (Shafa), found in another cluster forming a separate operational taxonomic unit (OTU). The main cluster was subdivided into subclusters reflecting the high variability among Ficus species or accessions collected from various locations. The RAPD-PCR fingerprints for four Ficus species were created using five primers. Among the 35 RAPD bands detected, 18 were polymorphic and 17 unique bands. The dendrogram resulting from unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average analysis clustered the four species into one primary cluster except Ficus ingens that agreed with the previous dendrogram. SDS-PAGE, isozymes, and RAPD-PCR techniques helped revealing geographical effects on the genetic diversity of Ficus species. The preliminary information here generated can be used for taxonomical grouping, breeding, genetic improvement, local germplasm conservation, and management of Saudi fig genetic resources.