DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF GENETIC-VARIATION IN HORDEUM-SPONTANEUM POPULATIONS FROM ISRAEL USING RAPD MARKERS

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyse genetic diversity within and between Hordeum spontaneum populations s ampled from Israel. Nei's index of genetic differentiation was used to partition diversity into within and between population components. Fi fty-seven per cent of the variation detected was partitioned within 10 H. spontaneum populations. Using principal component and multiple reg ression analysis, part of the variation detected between populations w as seen to be associated with certain ecogeographical factors. Fifty-e ight per cent of the distribution of the phenotypic frequencies of thr ee RAPD phenotypes detected using a single primer in 20 H. spontaneum populations could be accounted for by four ecogeographical variables, suggesting adaptive variation at certain RAPD loci.