Characterization of Genetic Diversity of Mulberry (Morus alba) Genotypes Growing Naturally in Northeastern Türkiye (Kelkit Valley) Using Morphological, Biochemical, and Molecular Markers

T&uuml:rkiye has a unique position globally as it connects the Asian and European continents. In this study, the genetic diversity of a total of 27 mulberry (Morus alba) genotypes collected from northeastern T&uuml:rkiye was evaluated in terms of morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics. In the fruits of the mulberry genotypes, the fruit weight (FW) ranged from 2.00 to 5.13 g, fruit width (Fw) ranged from 12.64 to 16.93 mm, and fruit length (FL) ranged from 20.89 to 32.34 mm. Total soluble solids (TSS) ranged from 16.56% to 26.00%, fruit pH ranged from 3.87 to 5.10, total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 72.69 to 171.34 mg GAE/100 g, total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 75.55 to 86.85 mg QE 100/g, and antioxidant activity (AA) ranged from 42.35% to 74.93%. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the first three principal components (eigenvalue &ge: 1.00) explain 54.05% of the total variation. In general, the fruit and leaf characteristics were more effective in the first two principal components, while the biochemical traits were more effective in the third principal component. As a result of molecular analysis using 13 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers, 94.23% of the total of 76 bands was polymorphic. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed that within the population, genetic variation was 79%, and among the populations, the variation was 21%. The similarities of the genotypes in the UPGMA dendrogram created according to the results of the molecular analysis varied between 0.74 and 0.98, and the genotypes were divided into two main groups. This study guides breeders in future studies by evaluating mulberry genotypes from morphological, biochemical, and molecular perspectives and explaining the wide variation among genotypes.