Genetic variation of arta populations (Calligonum polygonoides subsp. comosum) in Egypt : Genepools for biodiversity and afforestation

Genetic diversity manipulates a prime and vital role in the sustainable use of genetic resources. The data highlighted more insights into the genetic diversity of the arta plant (Calligonum polygonoides subsp. comosum) populations collected from three localities, Qalabshu (QQ), Mutubas (MM) and Gamasa (GG), in Egypt as gene pool for biodiversity conservation and afforestation. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers investigated the population pattern and structure. A total of 129-amplicons oscillated from 145 to 1505 bp and a total of 19-amplicons were specific markers with an average of nine bands for each population. The Shannon index (I) scored at an average of 0.3. The diversity (h) oscillated from 0.11 to 0.25. The similarity matrices based on Jaccard coefficient recorded positive values. A higher correlation (r = 0.83) was between the combined Qalabshu (QQ) and Mutubas (MM) matrices using the Mantel test with 1,000 permutations. This species has higher adaptability for their regions. This gene pool is a valuable reservoir for enriching genetic diversity and provides basal information for the biodiversity conservation of a dominant species. The dominant species can be utilised in afforestation in the same region or another region which has the same environmental conditions.