Population diversity of the Vicia sativa agg. (Fabaceae) in the flora of the former USSR deduced from RAPD and seed protein analyses

The genetic diversity of 58 wild and weedy populations representing taxa wi thin the V. sativa aggregate from the former USSR, 4 cultivars of V. sativa , 2 accessions of V. cordata and 3 accessions of V. macrocarpa from Mediter ranean countries were analysed using randomly amplified DNA fragments (RAPD s) and seed protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Interspecific variation bet ween taxa in the V. sativa aggregate could readily be detected using both t echniques. RAPDs and seed protein patterns were found to be an effective me ans of identifying accessions that cannot be identified clearly by morpholo gical criteria alone. RAPD and seed protein analysis revealed a clear relat ionship between observed genetic variation of populations and their geograp hical distribution. Populations from each region had their own gene pools. Geographical variation was detected in V. segetalis. The degree of genetic divergence between local populations was usually related to proximity. In s everal locations where wild and weedy populations of different V. sativa ag g. taxa grow sympatrically, intermediate forms could be detected at the DNA and protein levels. Both RAPD and seed protein analysis support the view t hat the V. sativa aggregate consists of 8 taxa warranting recognition at th e species level. Several species in this aggregate are evolving intra-speci fic groups which can readily be detected at the molecular level.