Genetic diversity analysis of Moroccan lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) landraces using Simple Sequence Repeat and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms reveals functional adaptation towards agro-environmental origins

In the absence of previous molecular characterization, we assessed genetic diversity of 53 Moroccan lentil landraces including two local cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). Nineteen SSRs yielded 213 alleles, and seven AFLP primer combinations gave 766 fragments of which 422 were polymorphic. Moderate to high genetic variation was observed. Several small groups of landraces were differentiated. Interestingly, one of the smallest groups contained short-cycle landraces with high early vegetative growth. Landraces in that group were from the dry land location of Abda, where they were likely selected for adaptation to drought and heat stress over centuries. Another group contained two landraces from highland areas that may have been selected for specific adaptation to cold stress. A third group contained one landrace from the Zear region known for its seed quality and has been proposed for the protected designation of origin (PDO) quality mark. Both techniques gave evidence of differentiation of the latter landrace supporting the idea of PDO attribution. Functional grouping according to agro-environmental origins, cycle duration and early vegetative vigour was observed.