Discrimination among cultivars of cabbage using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to discriminate among 16 commercial cultivars of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Gr oup). A set of 18 decamer primers was selected from 100 random sequences an d used to characterize cultivars and to evaluate distances. The selected pr imers produced 105 (54%) polymorphic bands ranging in size from 100 and 250 0 base pairs, out of a total of 195 bands, which allowed for discrimination of all cultivars. Similarity indices between cultivars were computed from RAPD data, and ranged from 0.72 to 0.87 with an average of 0.82. Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis reveale d two groups, one formed by two cultivars recommended for summer cropping, and the other by 14 cultivars. This large group was additionally divided in to two subgroups. RAPD analysis provides a quick and reliable alternative f or the identification of cabbage cultivars and for determination of the rel ationships among them.