CHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ANATOLIAN SAGE (Salvia fruticosa Mill.) POPULATIONS DISTRIBUTED NATURALLY IN SOUTHWESTERN AEGEAN

This study was carried out to determine the chemical, and molecular characterizations of Salvia fruticosa Mill. (Anatolian sage) populations distributed naturally in Mugla province. Plant materials were collected in June 2017 and 2018 from 30 different locations, in comprising districts of Mugla including Mentese (4), Ula (6), Koycegiz (1), Marmaris (11), Ortaca (2), Fethiye (2), Dalaman (2), and Milas (2). Thirty plants were collected from each population. The study showed the following rates: essential oil in the leaf, 0.34?3.76%; essential oil in the haulm, 0.01?0.23%; and total essential oil, 0.22?2.80%. Genetic variation among the populations was determined by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) molecular markers. In total, 150 bands were obtained from gel electrophoresis, and the populations were separated into two main clusters by evaluating these bands. Chemical and genetic profiles of Salvia fruticosa Mill. populations were determined to be compatible with each other in hierarchical clustering analysis and the created dendrograms. The different essential oil rates and components determined in the of them confirmed the genetic variation in each population.