Molecular characterization of some taxa of the genus Raphanus L. (Cruciferae = Brassicaceae)

Abstract

In the present study, molecular genetic fingerprints for 7 Raphanus L. samples belonging to 2 species (Raphanus raphanistrum L. and Raphanus sativus L.) were carried out to elucidate relationships among these samples. Extracted DNA from fresh leaf samples was used to identify the molecular fingerprints. Fifteen 10-mer arbitrary oligonucleotide primers were initially used to establish their randomly amplified polymorphic DNA based on polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) fingerprints and to discriminate among them. Only 6 primers successfully generated reproducible polymorphic products. These primers are; UBC 43, 51, 66, 71, 77 and 91. The fingerprints generated by these primers revealed characteristic profiles for each Raphanus L. genotypes, in terms of number and position of RAPD bands. The results revealed that both the number and size of the amplified products varied considerably with the different primers. A sum of 66 polymorphic bands was generated by these primers in the Raphanus L. genotypes under study. A total of 20 unique bands were identified out of the polymorphic ones. These unique bands were used to discriminate among the studied Raphanus L. samples. Most samples of the studied Raphanus L. samples were discriminated by one or more unique bands.