Geographical distribution of allozyme patterns in shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum Backer) and wakegi onion (A. × wakegi Araki)

Summary Shallot and wakegi were collected in the main islands of Indonesia, and in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh. Five isozyme resolutions, phosphoglucomutase (PGM), glutamate oxaloacetate (GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), esterase (EST) and peroxidase (POX) were employed for demonstrating inter-and intraspecific differences. A dendrogram separated 189 collected accessions into 25 types of wakegi onion and 18 types of shallot. All accessions of Japan, Korea and Taiwan were determined to be wakegi onion, whereas those of Bangladesh, Malaysia and Thailand were shallot. Twenty-six out of 165 Indonesian accessions indicated wakegi onion distribution in Sumatra, West Java province and in Sulawesi Island. This confirmed that there is mixed-cultivation of the two Allium species with no distinction made between them. Japan and Indonesia had respectively 12 and eight unique types of wakegi onion, while Korea had only one type. West Java showed the most various type of wakegi onion, whereas East Java had many types of shallot. Shallots collected from Bangladesh were distinetly different from those of South East Asian types.     

Evaluation of the U.S. cucumber germplasm collection for root size using a subjective rating technique

Summary Root size in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) has received little research attention until recently. However, a large root system could improve nutrient and water uptake, and ultimately yield. Knowledge of root size could help cucumber breeders develop cultivars with improved performance. A study was conducted in the greenhouse to evaluate 857 cultigens (827 plant introduction accessions, 22 breeding lines, and 8 cultivars) of cucumber for root length. Complete data were obtained for 794 cultigens. Plants were grown from seeds in 2 replications in the greenhouse. Plants were rated for root length using a 1 to 9 scale (1–3 = small, 4–6 = medium 7–9 = large). Also, root length was measured from soil surface to the tip of the longest main root. In addition, all cultigens were evaluated for root length and dry weight to provide meaning to the subjective rating. Root rating was highly correlated with both root length (r=0.92) and dry weight (r=0.64) of roots. Root length averaged 74 mm and most cultigens (579, or 68%) had roots 40 to 110 mm long. The cultigen with the longest roots was PI 183056 (193 mm), and the shortest was PI 176954 (2 mm). The subjective rating technique provided a simple, accurate and rapid method to estimate root growth in the greenhouse.     

Genetic diversity of natural populations of Atriplex halimus L. in Morocco: An isoenzyme-based overview

Based on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, nine natural populations of Atriplex halimus L., a perennial shrub, collected in different regions of Morocco, were studied for their genetic variation using isoenzyme polymorphism of the highly active enzyme systems: esterases (EST), acid phosphatases (ACP) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). Different allozyme frequencies from 7 different loci were obtained for all populations of this halophyte species. High levels of genetic diversity were revealed. The mean number of alleles per locus (A = 1.9–2.0), the percentage of polymorphic loci (p = 71.4–85.7) and the mean expected heterozygosity (H_e = 0.339–0.385) showed an important variability in all populations. Gene diversity was essentially explained by the within population component. The between populations differentiation accounted for 8% of the whole diversity (F_ST, averaged over all loci, is 0.08). The relationships among the 9 populations were inferred from the Nei’s genetic distances. Four major groups were formed. The northern population ‘Tanger’, forming a unique group, was highly divergent from the other groups. It appeared that the genetic distance between all groups was related to the geographic distance that separates them. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenotypic polymorphism of six enzymes in the grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Summary The phenotype variation in six enzymes, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), peroxidase (PRX), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), galactose dehydrogenase (GD) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), was investigated using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis in 52 accessions of the grasspea, Lathyrus sativus. Phenotypic polymorphism was observed for all six enzymes. High phenotypic polymorphism (Pj) was observed for PRX and 6-PGD, while there was little polymorphism for GOT, with only two accessions showing variation. There was no correlation between phenotypic polymorphism and region of origin, or groupings of accessions made on the basis of flower colour. Tentative genetic interpretations of banding patterns are given for five of the enzyme systems. The level of apparent heterozygosity was higher than expected in this predominantly autogamous species. The level of variation in the grasspea is discussed in terms of its potential for exploitation through plant breeding.     

Zingiberene-mediated resistance to the South American tomato pinworm derived from Lycopersicon hirsutum var. hirsutum

The Lycopersicon hirsutum var. hirsutum accession PI 127826 is recognized as a good source of resistance to arthropod pests due to the action of the allelochemical zimgiberene, a sesquiterpene present in its glandular trichomes. Five genotypes were selected from the F₂ generation of the interspecific cross Lycopersicon esculentum ‘TOM-556’ × Lycopersicon hirsutum var. hirsutum ‘PI 127826’, based on their low levels (BPX-368-clone#56) or high levels(BPX-368-clone#92, BPX-368-clone#105,BPX-368-clone#179, BPX-368-clone#250) of zingiberene. The five F₂ genotypes were tested for resistance to the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absolutaalong with accession L. esculentum ‘TOM-556’ (pinworm susceptible), and the accessions L. hirsutum var. hirsutum ‘PI 127826’ and L. pennellii ‘LA716’ (resistant). The F₂ clones selected for high foliar zingiberene levels showed lower scores for leaflet lesion type(LLT), percent leaflets attacked (PLA) and overall plant damage (OPD) than the low zingiberene genotypes. The results indicated that zingiberene mediates resistance to the South American pinworm, based on feeding and on ovipositing deterrence, in populations derived from the interspecific cross between Lycopersicon. esculentum and Lycopersicon hirsutum var. hirsutum. Indirect selection for high foliar zingiberene content is suggested as an efficient technique for breeding tomatoes for resistance to the South American tomato pinworm. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Penetrance of creeping-rootedness in clonal progenies of lucerne and observations on underground morphology of plants differing for this character

Elaeis oleifera or ‘caiaué’, a close relative of oil palm (E. guineensis), has some agronomic traits of great interest for the oil palm genetic breeding such as slow growth, oil quality (mostly unsaturated) and disease resistance. An analysis of a Brazilian oil palm germplasm collection was carried out using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers with the objective of understanding the genetic variation of ‘caiaué’ accessions collected in the Amazon Forest in the last two decades. A sample of 175 accessions obtained along the Amazon River Basin was analyzed and compared to 17 accessions of oil palm from Africa. Ninety-six RAPD markers were used in the analysis, of which fourteen were shown to be specific to oil palm, while twelve were specific to ‘caiaué’. Results showed that the Brazilian ‘caiaué’ accessions studied have moderate levels of genetic diversity as compared to oil palm accessions. The data allowed the establishment of similarity groups for ‘caiaué’ accessions, which is useful for selecting parental plants for population breeding. Cluster analysis showed that, in general, genetic similarities are not correlated to geographical distances, but consistent with geographical dispersal along the Amazon River network. AMOVA showed that most of the genetic variation is found within populations, as expected for anallogamous and long-lived perennial species. The study provides important information to define strategies for future collection expeditions, for germplasm conservation and for the use of E. oleifera in breeding programs. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic characterization and identification of new accessions from Syria in an olive germplasm bank by means of RAPD markers

Thirty-two olive cultivar accessions from Syria, most of them obtained from collecting expeditions, were characterized by means of RAPD markers before being introduced in the World Germplasm Bank of Cordoba. A total of 79 polymorphic bands(6.1 polymorphisms per primer) out of 93(7.1 bands per primer) were scored for the13 primers used, corresponding to 84.9% of the amplification products. Thirty-one different genotypes were clearly discriminated. Differences were not found among the amplification profiles from different individuals of the same cultivar. Only two cases of mislabeling or errors of planting were found. Fourteen accessions corresponding to 6 homonyms were discriminated by RAPDs as different genotypes. The dendrogram obtained by RAPD analysis included three major groups. Some evidence of relationships of the Syrian accessions studied according to their geographic origin and/or diffusion was found. For instance, cultivars from the Central Syria (Tadmur/Palmyra)such as Toffahi', ‘Abbadi Abo Gabra’-1033,‘Abo Kanani’, ‘Shami’-1041, ‘Abbadi Shalal’ ‘Adgam’-844 and ‘Majhol’-1013 clustered in Group 1 and 2. Six cultivars from Northern Syria clustered in Group 2. But it was not found a geographic structure for the cultivars from South and West of Syria. These results agree with the hypothesis of autochthonous origin of most of the olive cultivars. Some associations between cultivars from Central Syria and their fruit size were observed. This suggests that fruit size was a criterion of local selection in olive cultivars of this area. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of molecular markers and coefficients of parentage for the analysis of genetic diversity among spring bread wheat accessions

The comparison of different methods of estimating genetic diversity could define their usefulness in plant breeding and genetic improvement programs. This study evaluates and compares the genetic diversity of 70 spring wheat accessions representing a broad genetic pool based on molecular markers and parentage relationships. The sample was composed of 32 accessions from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and 38 from other breeding programs worldwide. Eight AFLP-primer combinations and 37 pairs of SSR primers were used to characterize the accessions and the Coefficients of Parentage (COP) were calculated from registered pedigrees. The average genealogical (COP) similarity (0.09 with a range of 0.0–1.0) was low in comparison to similarity calculated using SSR markers (0.41 with a range of 0.15–0.88) and AFLP markers (0.70 with a range of 0.33–0.98). Correlation between the genealogical similarity matrix (excluding accessions with COPs = 0) and the matrices of genetic similarity based on molecular markers was 0.34≤r≤0.46 (p <0.05). It is concluded that AFLP and SSR markers are generally in agreement with estimates of diversity measured using COPs, especially when complete pedigree data are available. However, markers may provide a more correct estimate due to some unrealistic assumptions made when calculating COPs, such as absence of selection. Furthermore, both COP and marker distances indicate that CIMMYT accessions are different from the worldwide group of accessions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Estimation of genetic diversity in a collection of the Garden Beet Group

In the present study diversity in a collection of the Garden Beet Group,consisting of 40 accessions from the BAZ Gene Bank and Polish cultivars, was evaluated in a two-year field trial. Thirteen morphological and yield traits were evaluated as well as content of betanin, vulgaxanthine, sugars, and nitrates in root tissue. The study revealed that accessions characterised by circular root shape and dark red skin, flesh and ring colour were the most common. It was also possible to identify several highly distinct accessions. The results allowed to assess genetic diversity and to make suggestions on rearranging of the Garden Beet Group core collection, which was previously set up a priori.Accessions showing a high nutritional value, potentially useful for quality breeding, were indicated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Selection of wild Cicer accessions for the generation of mapping populations segregating for resistance to ascochyta blight

In order to determine genetically diverse parents for the generation of mapping populations segregating for resistance to ascochyta blight in wild Cicer species, the genetic diversity between a selection of resistant and susceptible accessions was assessed using molecular markers. Twenty Cicer accessions — comprising eight C. reticulatum accessions, six C. echinospermum accessions, five C. bijugum accessions, and one C. arietinum accession — were compared using a combination of seven RAPD primers and seven ISSR primers. A total of 231 polymorphic bands were scored and used to determine the genetic distances between accessions using Jaccard similarity coefficients. The most genetically diverse parents for the generation of intraspecific and interspecific populations segregating for resistance to ascochyta blight are reported. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Interactions of BA, GA3, NAA, and surfactant on interspecific hybridization of Lycopersicon esculentum × L. chilense

Time consuming and expensive tissue culture type techniques are currently used for achieving Lycopersicon esculentum × L. chilense interspecific hybrids. The objective of this study was to determine if the number of viable hybrid seed produced directly from this wide cross could be improved by optimizing female/male parent selection when treated with various hormones in the presence or absence of a surfactant (Triton X-100). Individual or combination treatments of BA(6-benzylaminopurine), GA₃ (gibberellic acid), and/or NAA(α-naphthaleneacetic acid) were applied (both with and without surfactant)to the ovaries of two L. esculentum female parents (Fla 7613 and89S) one day following pollination by nineL. chilense accessions. Hormone applications over 1-, 3-, and 5-dayperiods were made and all treatments were compared to a distilled water control. Across all experiments 21 viable hybrids from 1920 fruits (1.1%) were obtained from2128 pollinations. There were five consistent trends observed across three experiments. First, treatments utilizing NAA produced more hybrids than any other treatment hormone. Second, eight of the total 21 hybrids resulted from five consecutive days of hormone treatments (P-value ≤0.01), and six of those eight were realized when NAA was involved. Third, the use of Triton X-100 in combination with the hormone treatments significantly reduced the number of fruits/pollination (P-value ≤ 0.01), but did not significantly reduce the number of overall viable hybrids (P-value > 0.4). Fourth, the L. chilense male parent LA2759 significantly produced the most interspecific hybrids (P-value ≤ 0.04),seven hybrids from 295 fruits, compared to the male parent LA130 which did not produce any hybrids (from 293 fruits) -other accessions were intermediate. Fifth, nearly ten times more hybrids were produced from crosses with Fla 7613 than with 89S. These experiments provide a foundation for future studies to discern specific concentrations, timing and frequency of application of NAA and possibly, GA₃, to efficiently produce interspecific hybrids of L. esculentum × L. chilense. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content,mitotic chromosome number and protein separation by SDS-PAGE in three accessions of African locust bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parkia biglobosa</Emphasis> Benth.)

Nuclear DNA of three accessions of Parkia biglobosa collected from three locations in northern Cross River State was investigated using a Patec PA II flow cytometer equipped with an argon ion laser (488 nm), and pictures of mitotic chromosomes were taken using a digital micro-camera (Canon) placed on the eye piece of a binocular microscope at 100X oil immersion. Metaphase chromosome counts of 2n = 22 for accessions A and C and 2n = 24 for accession B, were obtained and through flow cytometry, the three accessions were confirmed to be diploids. The nuclear DNA content and genome size for the accessions were 1.5085, 1.489, and 1.5266 pg (737.7054, 728.121, and 746.5074 Mbp) for accessions A, B, and C, respectively. In another experiment, leaf samples from greenhouse-germinated seeds were analyzed for variation in the banding pattern of the protein by SDS-PAGE in the three accessions. Protein was resolved into three banding groups according to their electrophoretic mobility: slow, medium, and fast, clustering between 100–200, 40–70, and 10–25 kDa, respectively. There was 76% similarity in the banding pattern between the accessions.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of melon accessions resistant to Fusarium wilts

Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (F.o.m) is one of the most widespread and devastating melon diseases. While resistance to physiological races 0, 1, and 2 is relatively frequent in different botanical varieties, sources of resistance to race 1,2 are restricted to a few Far-Eastern accessions. In this work, the results of a screening for resistance to F.o.m. race 1,2 among 32 accessions are presented. Three Japanese accessions (‘Kogane Nashi Makuwa’, ‘C-211’, and ‘C-40’) showed the highest resistance levels, but useful levels of resistance were also detected in one Russian ‘C-160’ and two Spanish (‘C-300’ and ‘Mollerusa-7’) accessions. These resistant materials, together with other accessions previously described as resistant to F.o.m. races 0, 1, and/or 2 have been morphologically and molecularly characterized. Based on cluster analysis, these accessions have been grouped according to the botanical subspecies they belong to. Assessment of genetic diversity indicated that the resistant accessions to races 0, 1 and 2, are scattered along the established clusters. On the other hand, high levels of resistance to the race 1,2 could be found only among accessions belonging to Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis, nevertheless, a certain degree of resistance to this race could also be found within some accessions belonging to subsp. melo. As far as we know, this is the first report of resistance to F.o.m race 1,2 found out from the Far-Eastern melon material. Based on fruits characteristics, it appears that several inodurus and cantalupensis accessions could be exploited in breeding programs as resistance sources to F.o.m races 0, 1 and/or 2 for the improvement of these melon types. The accessions with the highest levels of resistance to the race 1,2 appeared to be very distant both molecularly and morphologically from the commercial types. Nevertheless ‘C-160’, ‘C-300’, and ‘Mollerusa-7’ classified as var. inodorus are morphologically very similar to the Spanish commercial types and might be used as resistant sources in breeding these melon types.     

Patterns of RFLP-based genetic diversity in germplasm pools of common wheat with different geographical or breeding program origins

A set of 292 accessions of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) representing 21 germplasm pools based on geographical or breeding program origins was assayed for RFLP diversity. Thirty cDNA and genomic DNA probes and the HindIII restriction enzyme were employed for RFLP analysis. About 61% of all 233 scored bands were present in 75% or more of the accessions. All but one of the 30 probes revealed polymorphism, and the average number of distinct patterns per probe over all accessions was 9.5.Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values within a pool varied from 0 to 0.9 and depended on the identities of both the germplasm pool and the probe. Rare banding patterns with a relative frequency of ≤0.2 within a pool were detected. These rare patterns were more likely to occur in pools exhibiting high levels of heterogeneity. The highest level of polymorphism was observed in the Turkish landraces from Southwest Asia. The Eastern U.S. soft red winter wheat germplasm pool was more genetically diverse than the other advanced germplasm pools, and nearly as diverse as the Turkish landrace pool. RFLP-based genetic relationships between germplasm pools generally tracked expectations based on common geographical origin, breeding history and/or shared parentages. The Chinese wheat landraces from Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan provinces were distinct from other pools. Similarity matrices for among-pool genetic distance estimates based on either band frequencies or banding pattern frequencies showed good correlation with matrices derived from Nei and Li's mean genetic similarity estimates (r=−0.82^** and r=−0.73^**, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sources of resistance to diseases of sugar beet in related Beta germplasm: II. Soil-borne diseases

Between 580 and 700 accessions of related cultivated and wild species of the genus Beta were assessed for resistance to four soil-borne diseases of sugar beet: two seedling damping-off diseases caused by the fungi Aphanomyces cochlioides and Pythium ultimum and two diseases of more mature plants, Rhizoctonia root and crown rot, caused by the fungus R. solani, and Rhizomania, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), a furovirus transmitted by the plasmodiophorid Polymyxa betae. Analysis of resistance data (assessed on an international standardised 1–9 scale of Resistance Scores) indicated that the highest levels of resistance ({RS} 2) to A. cochlioides and P. ultimum were to be found amongst accessions of the more distantly related sections Corollinae (93% of accessions tested) and Procumbentes (10%), respectively; although useful levels could also be found in the more closely related, and sexually compatible, section Beta (1–6%). Resistance to Rhizoctonia was also found in section Beta (5–7%), depending on whether field or glasshouse tests were used, but there was little evidence of generally high levels of resistance to Rhizomania among accessions of this section. None of the accessions of sections Corollinae and Procumbentes exhibited any notable resistance to Rhizoctonia. However, all sections Procumbentes and some sections Corollinae (4%) accessions were highly resistant to Rhizomania. Individuals with high levels of resistance to Rhizomania were identified from within some section Beta and Corollinae accessions, in which there was evidence of segregation.     

Response of wheat cultivars to infection by Stagonospora nodorum isolates/mixture on detached and intact seedling leaves

Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) of wheat caused by Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.) Castellani & E.G. Germano is among the major foliar diseases of wheat worldwide. The response of four wheat cultivars for reaction to infection by isolates/mixture of S. nodorum was tested on detached and intact seedling leaves in the laboratory and glasshouse experiments, respectively. The four wheat cultivars tested significantly differed from each other in response to infection by the isolates/mixture of S. nodorum. Similarly, the aggressiveness of the four isolates/mixture of the pathogen on the four wheat cultivars was significantly different as demonstrated by the parameters tested in the two experiments. However, no significant (p ≤ 0.05) isolate x cultivar interaction was observed for all the parameters tested in the two experiments. Highly significant positive or negative correlations were observed between parameters, i.e., disease severity (DS), incubation period(IP), and size of necrotic lesions (SNL), tested on detached and intact seedling leaves, respectively. This suggests that use of the detached leaf technique has considerable promise for quick screening of wheat cultivars against SNB. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sources of resistance to diseases of sugar beet in related <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta</Emphasis> germplasm: I. Foliar diseases

Resistance to four foliar diseases of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris), virus yellows caused by Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) and Beet yellows virus (BYV), powdery mildew (Erysiphe betae) and Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora beticola), was assessed in up to 600 accessions of closely related wild and cultivated Beta species. Most accessions were from the Section Beta, a taxon containing types most closely related to, and sexually compatible with, sugar beet and therefore most valuable for use in crop improvement. Between 1–12% of accessions were highly resistant (resistance scores of 2 on an international standardised resistance scale of 1–9) to these diseases. These levels, however, underestimate the potential number of resistant sources available from this section as some accessions with intermediate mean resistance scores contained a significant proportion of highly resistant plants within segregating populations. Variation in resistance to all diseases except BYV was observed within the Section Beta. Much higher levels of resistance were observed, and more frequently, in more distantly related sections of the genus Beta. Accessions of the Section Corollinae were highly resistant to both viruses (>62% of accessions tested), but less so to Cercospora (15%) and they were very susceptible to powdery mildew. Section Procumbentes accessions were highly resistant to BMYV and Cercospora (100%) but less so to powdery mildew (50%) and BYV (20%). However, sexual incompatibility between these sections and sugar beet make utilisation of these sources impractical using conventional breeding methods.     

Genetic variability among Turkish pop, flint and dent corn (Zea mays L. spp. mays) races: Morphological and agronomic traits

32 Turkish corn accessions representing different climatic, geographic and topographic areas in Turkey were identified. Genetic variation and its pattern in three corn races (pop, flint and dent) included 32 accessions were investigated using 25 morphological and agronomic traits. Vegetative, ear and kernel related traits were significantly varied both among races and accessions within races. Variance component due to races and accessions within race were statistically significant, but the variance components due to accessions were generally made up large component of total variance and ranged from 17.17% in kernel length to 82.75% in tassel length. There were also strong and mostly positive correlations between studied agronomic traits as well as between agronomic traits and isoenzyme loci. These correlations were explained by the traditional farming practices and enzyme specificity with flint accessions since the enzyme systems such as Alcohol dehydrogenase (locus 1), Malate dehydrogenase enzyme (loci 2–3) and 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (locus-1) are generally considered to be the characteristics of flint corn race. Canonical discriminant function analysis with twenty-five morphological and agronomic traits revealed that first two canonical discriminant variables explained 68% of total variation among accessions. Two Canonical variables, in which kernel related traits were heavily weighted, correctly classify the three corn races – indicating that Turkish corn accessions maintained their racial characteristics with agronomic and morphological traits. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity in the wild potato species Solanum chacoense Bitt.

Summary The morphological and isozyme variation was studied in 22 accessions of Solanum chacoense from Paraguay and Argentina. Clear geographic groups were identified through the use of multivariate analyses. S. chacoense from mountain sites in Argentina could be readily distinguished from plains forms from Paraguay, on the basis of several correlated morphological characters. Three isozyme systems, namely phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and peroxidase (PRX) were studied using starch gel electrophoresis. The banding patterns indicated that for each isozyme there were several loci, which were polymorphic. A genetic interpretation of one of the PGI loci was made, and indices of genetic diversity and genetic identity calculated. Principal components analysis, cluster analysis and genetic diversity indicated a close relationship between the geographical groups. These results are discussed in the context of in situ genetic conservation.     

Genetic diversity revealed in the apomictic fruit species Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen)

The novel molecular marker technique Randomly Amplified DNA Fingerprinting (RAF)was used to survey genetic relationships between 37 accessions of the tropical fruit G. mangostana (mangosteen) and among 11 accessions from eight other Garcinia species. Although mangosteen is believed to reproduce exclusively through apomixis, our results show that considerable genetic diversity exists within G. mangostana and between other Garcinia species. Among the 37G. mangostana accessions examined, nine different genotypes were identified which clustered into three distinct groups based on correspondence analysis(reciprocal averaging). For 26 (70%) of the accessions no marker variation was detected over 530 loci screened. A further eight (22%) accessions exhibited very low levels of variation (0.2–1%) suggesting at least one well conserved mangosteen genotype. The remaining three accessions (8%) showed extensive variation (22–31%)compared with the majority of accessions. The three mangosteen groups were 63–70% dissimilar to the other Garciniaspecies investigated. The genetic diversity identified in this research will assist in the conservation of Garciniagermplasm and provides a valuable framework for the genetic improvement of mangosteen. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.