DNA AMPLIFICATION FINGERPRINTING IDENTIFIES CLOSELY-RELATED CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTIVARS

DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) as used to study genetic relati onships between closely related chrysanthemum cultivars (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev.). Twenty-one cultivars were examined that belonge d to the Anne, Blush, Boaldi, Charm, Davis, and Pomona series (familie s), The genetic variability of cultivars within and between series was evaluated using eleven arbitrary octamer primers, A few polymorphic c haracters uniquely identified closely related cultivars within each of the series, In contrast, many DNA polymorphisms were observed between members of the different series, Phenetic patterns were established b y unweighted pair group cluster analysis using arithmetic means (UPGMA ) and principal coordinate analysis (PCO), The average distance betwee n series was 10-fold greater than between cultivars within a series, D NA from all cultivars belonging to a series were also bulked to genera te profiles containing unique amplified products for each series, Clus ter analysis and PCO of bulked DNA clearly grouped Charm and Pomona to gether, However, series grouping did not correspond to morphology of i nflorescence types, The results demonstrate the utility of the DAF tec hnique in distinguishing clonal materials and its potential use for pa tent protection, phylogenetic studies, and for identifying useful mark ers in breeding applications.