THE POTENTIAL OF AFLPS IN BIOSYSTEMATICS - A FIRST APPLICATION IN SOLANUM TAXONOMY (SOLANACEAE)

Using the AFLP technique highly informative DNA fingerprints were gene rated from 19 taxa of Solanum sect. Petota (potatoes) and three taxa o f Solanum sect. Lycopersicum (tomatoes). Both phenetic and cladistic a nalyses were conducted from the individual genotypic level to the spec ies level. An AFLP fingerprint, using a combination of suitable AFLP p rimers, generated 12 to 71 scorable fragments per genotype which was s ufficient for taxonomic interpretation. The classifications based on t he molecular markers were generally in agreement with current taxonomi c opinions. Unexpectedly, S. microdontum was associated with ser. Megi stacroloba rather than with ser. Tuberosa, and S. demissum (ser. Demis sa) and species of ser. Acaulia appeared closely affiliated. AFLP is a n efficient and reliable technique to generate biosystematic data and therefore a promising tool for evolutionary studies.