Electrophoretic polymorphism of Cannabis sativa L. cultivars: characterisation and geographical classification

Thirty-six hemp accessions either cultivars listed in the 1996 official pub lication of the European community or coming from eastern European countrie s, were subjected to electrophoresis for the purpose of identification. SDS -PAGE of total seed storage proteins produced profiles characterized by 16- 20 sharp bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 to 120 kDa. Cultivar profiles showed a polymorphic zone which permitted the characterisation of all cultivars. UPGMA analysis was performed on all of the samples. The Euro pean cultivars originating from the same country were clustered together, a nd the eastern European accessions and hybrids were grouped in relation to their pedigree. The electrophoretic method represents an inexpensive and ef ficient technique allowing hemp characterisation without field or greenhous e tests.