RAPD variation within and among populations of globe artichoke cultivar 'Spinoso sardo'

Globe artichoke is a vegetable native to the Mediterranean basin. Its comme rcial production is mainly based on perennial cultivation of vegetatively p ropagated clones, which are highly heterozygous and segregate widely when p rogeny-tested. The aim of this study was to measure genetic variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in five populations of 'Spinoso sa rdo', the must widely grown and economically important cultivar in Sardinia (Italy). Analysis ol molecular variance (AMOVA) gave highly significant di fferences between populations (28.1% of the total genetic diversity); subst antial within-population variation was detected (71.8% of total genetic: di versity). The RAPD results show the need to apply clonal selection to narro w the broad genetic variability within the cultivar and to address importan t questions on the most suitable strategies for germplasm preservation.