Genetic variability of verbascum populations from metal polluted and unpolluted sites

Abstract

Mullein (Verbascum) plants have extensive distribution and can grow in variable environmental conditions. Seed was collected from mullein plants grown at 4 locations, two metals contaminated and two metal uncontaminated areas. Genetic variability of progeny was examined. Populations collected from unpolluted areas were genetically more similar than those collected from polluted areas as revealed by RAPD and SSR markers and UPGMA analysis. The results indicate that there is genetic differentiation between examined populations and therefore they represent suitable material for further investigation of plant adaptation mechanisms to increased metal content.