Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) in fig cultivars (Ficus carica L.)

Sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) were analysed in a set of Tunisian fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivars. The size of the spacers sequences ranged from 200 to 279 bases for ITS1 and from 253 to 314 bases for ITS2. Variation of GC contents has been also observed and scored as 59–68% and 55–68% for ITS1 and ITS2, respectively. This data exhibited the presence of polymorphism among cultivars. The intra-specific variability level of the ITS sequences proved a variation both in the length and in the sequences studied. In fact, ITS1 and ITS2 sequences were considered as a useful tool to establish genetic relationships among cultivars. Our results indicate that the diversity detected among closely related genotypes supported strongly the efficiency of ITS sequences for establishing relationships between cultivars. ITS2 seems to be relatively more informative than ITS1 regarding length or GC contents. Considerable genetic diversity was observed among fig at intra and inter-cultivars levels. Two polyclonal varieties were identified. In addition, data proved that a typically continuous genetic diversity characterizes the local fig germplasm. The topology of the derived dendrogram strongly supported this assumption. In fact, genotypes are clustered independently from their geographical origin or the sex of trees suggesting a narrow genetic basis among the ecotypes studied in spite of their phenotypic distinctiveness. Implications of these results for management of fig germplasm collections are discussed.