Relationships between an Italian Strawberry Ecotype and its Ancestor using RAPD Markers

Random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic variability among populations of an Italian strawberry ecotype, and to determinate genetic relationships between genotypes and their putative ancestor. A total of 65 selections and one cultivar ‘Madame Moutot’ (MM), were analysed to evaluate genetic variability present in Etna mountain area and to confirm as MM was one of the cultivars that originated the ecotype. A total of 222 RAPD markers was obtained using 16 decamer primers and 6 longer primers, 90.8% of the markers obtained by selected primers resulted polymorphic at least within analysed genotypes. RAPDs were used to calculate genetic similarity coefficients and to generate dendrograms representing genetic relationships among genotypes analysed. Cluster analysis displays as RAPD polymorphisms were able to characterize the genotype variability among closely related groups. The data show as MM could be considered the ancestral genotypes introduced in that area. The results obtained confirm that RAPD markers could be used as reliable markers to perform phylogenetic studies in Fragaria×ananassa Duch. ex Rozier.