CLASSIFICATION OF GENETIC-VARIATION IN GARLIC (ALLIUM-SATIVUM L.) REVEALED BY RAPD

RAPD analysis was employed to assess genetic variation in named cultiv ars of garlic (Allium sativum L.), and to examine the relationships be tween cultivated garlic varieties and the wild progenitor Allium longi cuspis. Twenty-seven accessions were subjected to RAPD analysis using 26 oligonucleotide primers. Of a total of 292 bands, 63 (21%) were pol ymorphic. Cluster analysis revealed groupings that in part reflected p atterns of morphological variation. All bolting forms (including wild and cultivated) grouped separately from the nonbolting cultivars, A. l ongicuspis and var. ophioscorodon grouped together, indicating close t axonomic affinity. Based upon relative levels of variation within diff erent groups, we suggest potential relationships within the A. sativum /A. longicuspis complex.