DNA “FINGERPRINTS” REVEAL GENOTYPIC DISTRIBUTIONS IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF BLACKBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES (RUBUS, ROSACEAE)

Abstract

The genotypic distributions in a population of Rubus occidentalis L. and R. pensilvanicus Poiret were analyzed by using DNA “fingerprinting.” The number of genotypes found was related to the mode of reproduction; 20 plants of the sexual R. occidentalis comprised 15 genotypes, whereas 20 plants of the presumably apomictic R. pensilvanicus comprised only five genotypes. DNA “fingerprinting” appears to be a useful tool in the understanding of population structure.