Genetic diversity analysis of Atriplex halimus ecotypes from western Algeria using isoenzyme markers

In arid and semi-arid regions, Atriplex species constitute excellent forage for livestock, especially during droughts. Due to their hardiness, palatability, and edibility, as well as their richness in proteins. Equipped with a very significant biomass, they constitute an effective and relatively inexpensive tool in the fight against erosion and desertification, especially in steppe areas. The trials aimed at characterizing the genetic diversity of these species are therefore very useful for their classification, conservation, improvement, and selection.Our work is part of the characterization of the genetic polymorphism of six Atriplex halimus ecotypes from various Algerian thru the separation of isoenzymatic markers on electrophoresis gel represented by peroxidases and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase. knowing that the three alleles are expressed for the ecotypes of Bechar, Ain Sefra, Mascara, Arzew, and Mostaganem, but for the Chleff ecotype, all the alleles are expressed.The results of this study showed that glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase is not very polymorphic among the studied ecotypes, with the presence of three isoenzymes visualized in Béchar, Ain Sefra, Mascara, Arzew, and Mostaganem, and an additional isoenzyme characterizing the Chleff ecotype, demonstrating its genetic diversity.Peroxidases have also demonstrated low interspecific diversity, which characterizes the Chleff ecotype compared to other ecotypes. the zymogram of peroxidases presents two active zones each composed of two bands, which suggests the presence of two loci each containing two alleles.Generally speaking, the results revealed a non-negligible threshold of genetic polymorphism, both inter- and intra-species, among the studied ecotypes of Atriplex halimus.