Genetic diversity in Orobanche crenata populations from southern Spain

The pattern of genetic variation within and among natural populations of br oomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) from southern Spain was analysed by RAPD markers. Hierarchical analysis of phenotypic diversity using AMOVA was per formed to analyse the partitioning of the variation among populations and a mong individuals. Although most of the genetic diversity was attributable t o differences among individuals within a population (94.29%), significant p hi (st) values among populations suggested the existence of phenotypic diff erentiation. Moreover, corresponding HOMOVA analysis revealed that molecula r variances were significantly heterogeneous among populations although no clear grouping pattern could be established. These results are to be expect ed considering the predominant outcrossing behaviour of O. crenata.