Identification of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp pekinensis) cultivars with isozyme, RAPD and AFLP markers

Using isozyme, RAPD and AFLP techniques, 21 commercial cultivars of Chinese cabbage were identified. Identification ability and polymorphic frequency of those banding profiles were analyzed for identification of the cultivars. The results indicate that the cultivars could be distinguished by the combination of 9 polymorphic loci from 3 isozymes. RAPD markers generated by 3 of the 13 primers and it could distinguish all 21 cultivars. The polymorphic frequency of the banding profiles is 44.8%. AFLP DNA fingerprint from four primer combinations has been obtained in the present research. Each of the primer combination is able to distinguish all the cultivars. The polymorphic frequency of the banding profile is 83% between Chinese cabbage cultivars. In comparison to other methods, AFLP technique is the strongest molecular tool for the identification of Chinese cabbage cultivars. Though RAPD and isozyme analysis could be used in cultivar identification, the amount of polymorphism markers was limited. More over, developing stage and growth environment of the tested plant might effect the result of isozyme analysis.