Abstract
In the present work, variability of both cytoplasmic and nuclear microsatellite traits was investigated with the aim of characterizing a set of rosemary germplasm resources (Salvia rosmarinus). Most of the materials were collected in Italy and France. High-resolution melting curves were compared each other computing their Euclidean distances and estimating the differences within their principal component as a measure of genetic diversity. Mantel correlation results combined to linear discriminant analysis allowed examined populations to be divided in four principal groups corresponding to four geographic areas, with few interesting and discussed exceptions. As rosemary propagates by seeds coming from insect mediated pollination, steady wild populations can be expected to be in panmictic equilibrium. Gained results confirmed and extended precedent characterization of rosemary genotypes and are compatible with the distribution of other Mediterranean species, as well as with the presence of a glacial refugium in the north-east area of Sardinia previously described. As the officinal use of this aromatic shrub is spreading, characterization and conservation of wild Mediterranean germplasm is gaining strategic importance. A core collection of 100 genotypes was pointed out as suitable for a cheaper biodiversity ex situ preservation as well as for subsequent metabolic and linkage disequilibrium analyses.