RFLP CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIAN MUSA GERMPLASM FOR CLONAL IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION

Nineteen single-copy clones isolated from a PstI genomic library (cv. Maiden Plantain), and eight Vigna chloroplast DNA clones were used to probe total genomic DNA digests of 57 genotypes of Musa from India. Th e 19 genomic clones detected a total of 107 polymorphisms among the 57 genotypes. Principal coordinates and phenetic analyses of these data placed cultivars and species into distinct groups that were in general agreement with a previously published RAPD-based classification of th ese same plant materials. The 107 polymorphisms were sufficient to dif ferentiate each clone from every other clone. Heterologous Vigna chlor oplast DNA probes were used to characterize the cytoplasm of Musa cult ivars and species. PCO analysis of these RFLPs were detected both with in and between the generally recognized genome groups, indicating mult iple hybridization pathways in the origin of hybrid clones. Data prese nted demonstrate that RFLPs are sufficiently abundant to classify Musa germplasm and that genetic relationships among Musa cultivars, based upon RFLP data, are in general agreement with relationships determined by analysis of morphology and RAPDs.