DNA-FINGERPRINTING OF RED-CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM-PRATENSE L) WITH JEFFREY PROBES - DETECTION OF SOMACLONAL VARIATION AND OTHER APPLICATIONS

DNA fingerprints generated by the Jeffreys' probes, 33.6 and 33.15, in dicated the presence of minisatellite-like sequences in the red clover genome. The fingerprints generated by probe 33.6 gave less background and fewer but better defined bands than those obtained with probe 33. 15. Assay of a regenerative somaclonal variant (F49R) by DNA fingerpri nting with probe 33.6 detected mutation that was unlinked to the regen erative trait. The fingerprints obtained under the applied conditions also demonstrated genetic stability of consecutive generations of the regenerants in tissue culture. DNA fingerprints of F1 plants revealed that each polymorphic band was inherited from either one or the other parent. Both probes distinguished individual-specific genotypes in sev en cultivars of red clover. Greater variability in DNA fingerprints wa s detected between (V=0.899) than within (0.417 less-than-or-equal-to V less-than-or-equal-to 0.548) cultivars.