Abstract
The genus Rosa L. is globally distributed and encompasses the economically and ecologically important species Rosa canina L. Apart from the traditional uses of R. canina in folk medicine, food, cosmetics, and ornamental applications, it is renowned for the functional bioactive components found in rose hips. Identifying the genetic diversity within this species is crucial for any plant breeding project. This study employed three molecular markers (ISSR, SCoT, and EBAP) to conduct the first comprehensive genetic analysis of 12 R. canina genotypes. DNA extraction, marker selection, and PCR amplification were performed following established protocols. The resulting genetic data were analyzed for polymorphism, diversity indices, and population structure using various statistical methods, including PCA, UPGMA clustering, and STRUCTURE analysis. The ISSR analysis revealed a high level of polymorphism (81.82%) and identified two major clusters in the UPGMA dendrogram. SCoT and EBAP markers also exhibited substantial polymorphism (74.56% and 82.11%, respectively) and formed three distinct clusters. PCA indicated a consistent pattern across markers, suggesting reliable genetic grouping. STRUCTURE analysis supported the presence of three genetically uniform subpopulations (K = 3) within the studied R. canina germplasm collection. This study provides a comprehensive genetic characterization of the Greek native R. canina gene bank collection. The observed genetic diversity and population structure provided valuable insights for future breeding programs targeting specific genetic clusters within R. canina populations.