Comprehensive assessment of genetic variation in native heterostylous primrose genotypes of Türkiye

Primula vulgaris L. is an essential species of ornamental plant value with attractive flowers distributed in humid and cold regions. It spreads around Giresun, Gümüşhane, Trabzon, and Rize in Türkiye’s Eastern Black Sea region. Through molecular and morphological markers, this study determined the genetic diversity and similarity levels of Primula genotypes sampled from different areas (Samsun, Trabzon, Ordu, and Giresun). Variation was determined regarding morphological characteristics, and that plant shape, flower, and leaf properties were highly variable. Molecular data support morphological features. Thirteen ISSR primers determined the dimensions of genetic diversity, and the genotypes’ similarity indexes were between 0.70 and 0.92. It is seen that there is no clustering in the two- and three-dimensional graphics created in line with the genetic parameters, and the genotypes are distributed. Also, plant characteristics were correlated with the ISSR data, and many DNA profiles were detected. This study has characterized Primula genotypes that naturally spread in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. It is a guiding study for transferring some observed properties to culture varieties.