Distribution patterns and ISSR PCR optimisation of invasive plant Eichhornia crassipes in Asi River/Turkey

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae) is a perennial aquatic invasive weed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Recently, this species was detected in Asi River, Hatay. Therefore, knowledge on its population structure, size and density is very important to understand the current status of this species in Turkey. In this study, we have determined the distribution pattern of E. crassipes. After monitoring Asi River, spanning Syrian Border to Mediterranian Sea, we have detected three main population located at Reyhanlı, Antakya and Samandağ. Population size of E. crassipes varied between 4900-13600. ISSR-PCR protocol was also optimized for E. crassipes based on concentrations of MgCl2, primer, dNTP and template DNA. Among 45 ISSR primers tested, 20 of them have produced satisfactory results. Study results suggested that distribution of E. crassipes in Turkey is not negligible and populations must be monitored periodically. In addition, the optimized ISSR-PCR procedure can be used to study the genetic structure of E. crassipes populations naturally grown in Turkey.