Chloroplast DNA study in wild populations and some cultivars of Prunus avium L.

The PCR-RFLP technique was used to detect chloroplast DNA diversity in wild populations of Prunus avium from five European deciduous forests and some cultivars. A study of 10.8% of the total chloroplast genome detected eight insertion-deletion (indel) mutations. distributed over 12 haplotypes. Six h aplotypes (HI, H2, H3. H4, H5 and H6) were found in wild populations and ei ght (H2. H6, H7, H8. H9, H10, H11 and H12) in the cultivars. Only two haplo types (H2 and H6) are shared by the wild populations and the cultivars. The most-abundant and frequent haplotype in wild populations is H2 (frequency= 78%). The wider geographical distribution along with the high frequency ref lects its ancient origin. Of the five populations, three are polymorphic. P opulations GA (Scotland) and KE (Germany) have unique haplotypes. The total cpDNA diversity in wild populations is h(T)=0.40, and a major portion of i t is within populations (h(S)=0.37). The genetic differentiation among popu lations was low (G(STC)=0.08) and no genetic structure among wild populatio ns was observed. A mininium-length spanning tree, demonstrating relationshi ps among the haplotypes in wild populations. indicated two possible chlorop last lineages. The ten identified cultivars were represented by seven haplo types, this result proposes the possible utilisation of the PCR-RFLP techni que for the characterisation of sweet cherry cultivars. The cpDNA diversity in P. avium should be considered carefully for phylogenetic studies involv ing this species.