Carpological and Palynological Characterization of Germplasm of Oregano (Origanum syriacum L.) in Lebanon
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Abstract
The morphobiometric characters of the pollens and mericarps of 74 accessions of Origanum syriacum L. collected
in the Damour River area of Mount Lebanon, Lebanon, were studied for the first time. The detailed analysis of
the morphobiometric descriptors and the further elaboration of these by means of cluster analysis distinguished
two principal groups. These groups seem to correspond to the two varieties of O. syriacum described by letswaart
(1980), viz., O. syriacum L. var. syriacum and O. syriacum L. var. bevanii (Holmes) letswaart. On the other hand,
with regard to their pollen characteristics, the studied accessions could be considered as ecoform variants. The
greater uniformity detected in pollen traits could be ascribed to the enthomogamic pollination mechanisms present
in Origanum syriacum and the related gene flow taking place among the populations under study. It can be
hypothesized that such mechanisms might have in fact contributed to the natural selection of these populations,
favoring greater uniformity in pollen traits rather than in those related to the mericarps. The diversity detected
by this study in mericarps and pollen grains represents a useful diacritic element for the better understanding of
Origanum syriacum, suggesting at the same time the presence of genetic variation that could be exploited in crop
improvement programmes targeting this species.