Classification of Genetic Variation in Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Revealed by RAPD

TLDR

The study used RAPD analysis to evaluate genetic variation among garlic cultivars and to investigate their relationships with the wild progenitor Allium longicuspis. Twenty‑seven garlic accessions were screened with 26 RAPD primers to generate polymorphic DNA fingerprints. Of 292 bands, 63 (21 %) were polymorphic, and cluster analysis grouped cultivars according to morphological traits, separating bolting from nonbolting forms and clustering A.

Abstract

RAPD analysis was employed to assess genetic variation in named cultivars of garlic ( Allium sativum L.), and to examine the relationships between cultivated garlic varieties and the wild progenitor Allium longicuspis. Twenty-seven accessions were subjected to RAPD analysis using 26 oligonucleotide primers. Of a total of 292 bands, 63 (21%) were polymorphic. Cluster analysis revealed groupings that in part reflected patterns of morphological variation. All bolting forms (including wild and cultivated) grouped separately from the nonbolting cultivars. A. longicuspis and var. ophioscorodon grouped together, indicating close taxonomic affinity. Based upon relative levels of variation within different groups, we suggest potential relationships within the A. sativum/A. longicuspis complex.