Isozyme polymorphism and genetic differentiation in natural populations of a new tetraploid speciesAvena agadiriana from Morocco

A new wild tetraploid oat Avena agadiriana Baum et Fedak was collected from the five populations along the Atlantic coast in Morocco. Variations in six enzyme systems were surveyed and allele frequency, percentage of polymorphic loci, number of alleles per locus, observed and expected heterozygosities, and unbiased genetic distance were calculated. Phenotypic frequencies were scored representing 11 polymorphic loci. The mean percentage of polymorphic loci was 46.25, the mean number of alleles per locus was 1.502, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.1526. Two heterozygotes resulting from outcrosses were found in the progeny from M60 and M71. The population of M71 had peculiar alleles Est-4A not present in the other populations. Most of the genetic diversity of this species was between populations with little existing within populations. Geographic and genetic distances between populations were positively correlated with each other and the correlation coefficient was 0.7031. Cluster analysis showed two strongly differentiated groups were apparent, M71 and M74, and the remainder. The former group appears to be adapted to man-made habitat, such as road side or eucalyptus plantation, and the latter to a distinct dry, sandy habitat. To make wide intra-specific variation in this species, the modified mating system would be indispensable