In the fields of agricultural, food and medical research, the potential impacts of tea on human health are of special interest because tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is continuously consumed by many people in the world. The evaluation of the diversity of genotypes found in tea germplasm can aid in the improvement of the breeding programme. In this study, the genetic diversity of 30 tea genotypes from two commercial sites of tea production in Iran was investigated by using morphological and 12 ISSR markers. Morphological analysis showed that the diversity between samples of tea was limited, and the narrow matching range was calculated. In cluster analysis at level 0.63, samples were divided into four groups. The application of 12 ISSR primers produced 91 polymorphic bands. PIC test showed a range of 0.41–0.48. Based on the ISSR data, the matching range was obtained in the range of 0.24–0.93. In cluster analysis, samples at level 0.58 were divided into five groups. According to the results, it can be understood that these series of traits and primers can very well recognize genetic differences. Using these markers, genetic diversity was observed among tea genotypes, but this diversity was not such as to be able to separate genotypes of various regions from each other. The results showed that the tea genotypes in Iran had high genetic diversity. As a consequence, the findings of our study will help the development of tea germplasm conservation strategies and their sustainable use in breeding programmes.

The technique of Random Amplification Polymorphic DNA allows fragments of the genome to be amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) without previous knowledge of their sequences. The protozoa of the genus Leishmania present great genetic variability, making it difficult to characterize the different species. A method is developed with a single 10-mers long primer, which allows the species L. braziliensis, L. mexicana, L. infantum, L. tropica, L. chagasi, L. amazonensis and L. major to be differentiated. These products amplified by RAPD have also facilitated the design of some primers that amplify L. braziliensis DNA exclusively.

Diagnostic PCR primers for Trichinella were constructed. Twelve pairs of primers were designed based on the sequences of random amplified polymorphic DNA, and 4 pairs of primers were designed based on the reported sequences of complementary DNA encoding excretory–secretory glycoproteins. With these primers, 31 samples of DNA from different strains of Trichinella including 5 species (Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella nelsoni and Trichinella pseudospiralis) and 3 phenotypes of uncertain taxonomic level (Trichinella T5, T6 and T8) were tested with PCR. Genus Trichinella can be identified by 4 different primer pairs (SB147D, SB372A, SB153, or Ts43). Trichinella spiralis can be identified by the presence of a 673 bp amplicon in PCR with the primer pair SB147B. Trichinella nelsoni can be identified using primer pair SB147F or by the presence of 673 bp and ca. 380 bp amplicon in PCR with the primer pair SB147B. Trichinella pseudospiralis can be identified by 2 primer pairs (SB147E or SB372B). Trichinella T5 can be identified by the primer pair SB147G. Trichinella T8 can be identified by its positivity by the primer pair SB147C and its negativity by the primer pair SB372C. A group of Trichinella species (T. britovi, T. nativa and Trichinella T6) can be identified by the primer pair SB372C.