Identification of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cultivars by RAPD analysis

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique offers a useful tool to detect DNA polymorphisms. It can also be used to distinguish different c lones and cultivars. We have developed a comprehensive RAPD-based procedure for the routine molecular typing of various plants. Here we report the app lication of this technique for the correct identification of six hazelnut c ultivars (Corylus avellana) widespread in the Campania region (south Italy) . The analysed hazelnut cultivars were successfully distinguished by their RAPD fingerprints using the DNA primers U2, U3, U4, UI I and U14. However, in each cultivar we observed very low genetic heterogeneity among the clona l variants. Since this technique is among the simplest and easiest: methods used to Fingerprint DNA, it could be easily transferred to less sophistica ted laboratory infrastructures (e.g. outstations of crop regulatory agencie s).