Assessment of Genetic Diversity Among Bulgarian Lavender Varieties Using Scot Markers

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a traditional and economically important crop in Bulgaria. The cultivated areas are primarily planted with seven Bulgarian varieties: ‘Hemus’, ‘Druzhba’, ‘Sevtopolis’, ‘Yubileina’, ‘Raya’, ‘Hebar’, and ‘Karlovo’. Except for ‘Karlovo’, these cultivars are widely grown due to their proven agronomic performance and adaptability across different regions of the country. However, their genetic diversity and relationships have not been deeply examined. In this study, 13 Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of those seven Bulgarian cultivars. This research provides the first report on the application of SCoT markers in lavender accessions. The results revealed considerable polymorphism, confirming the effectiveness of the SCoT marker system for L. angustifolia. The obtained data indicate moderate genetic diversity among the cultivars, supported by the effective number of alleles and polymorphic information content. Cluster analysis (UPGMA) and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) demonstrated clear genetic differentiation, grouping the cultivars according to their genetic proximity. These findings provide valuable baseline information for future selection, conservation, and genetic evaluation of Bulgarian lavender.