RFLPS OF THE RIBOSOMAL-RNA GENES IN THE GENUS PHASEOLUS

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the rRNA genes were investigated among 20 genotypes of P vulgaris, P: coccineus, P. polyanthus, P. microcarpus, P. glabellus, P acutifolius, P. maculatus, P. oligospermus and P lunatus. Detection of the polymorphisms was performed nonradioactively with a digoxigenin-labeled rDNA probe. RFLP-based phylogenetic trees for the rDNA of the species studied were computed with several distance matrix and parsimony methods. The estimated molecular relationships within the genus Phaseolus coincide, on principle, with the classical taxonomical investigations. Hence, RFLP analyses of the rRDA have been proven useful for systematic studies in the genus Phaseolus.