Molecular, agro-morphological, and phytochemical analysis of goldenrod (Solidago spp.) genotypes grown under two contrasting climates

Solidago , belonging to the Asteraceae family, is used as an herbal medicine and possess diuretic, anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and immunobiological properties. However, the extent to which genetic differences among wild and cultivated Solidago materials contribute to variation in agronomic performance and phytochemical quality under contrasting environmental conditions remains insufficiently understood. This study was conducted to analyze the genetic relationships of Iranian natural populations of S. virgaurea with cultivated varieties (three S. virgaurea and one S. canadensis varieties ) and evaluate their agro-morphological and phytochemical characteristics in field condition in two different climates (Tehran and Sari). Fourteen inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were applied for DNA analysis and a total of 105 bands were amplified, out of which 103 bands were polymorphic (91.1%). The polymorphic information content (PIC) of the assessed markers varied between 0.21 for IS8 and 0.37 for IS4, yielding a mean value of 0.28. The ISSR-based clustering analysis revealed three principal clusters, with S. canadensis genotypes forming one cluster, the three cultivated S. virgaurea varieties comprising another, and the Iranian wild populations forming the third cluster. Considerable diversity was likewise observed in their agro-morphological traits and phytochemical profiles. Solidago cultivars and populations grown in Sari had higher plant height (137.2 cm), inflorescence length (78.1 cm), plant fresh weight (338.11 g plant − 1 ), plant dry weight (144.69 g plant − 1 ) and drug yield (366.86 g m − 1 ). However, higher total phenol content (26.07 vs. 18.25 mg GAE g − 1 DW) and leiocarposide content (8.96 mg g- 1 DW) was measured in plants cultivated in Tehran. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed polymorphic markers, exhibiting significant correlations to agro-morphological and phytochemical traits. Overall, the findings highlight substantial genetic, agro-morphological, and phytochemical diversity among the studied Solidago materials and provide useful information for the selection of promising genetic resources for cultivation and breeding programs.