Ploidic and molecular analysis of 'Morado de Huetor' asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) population;: a Spanish tetraploid landrace

A study has been conducted into the genetic variation analysis of the tetraploid asparagus landrace 'Morado de Huetor' and its relationship with current commercial cultivars using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA ( RAPD) molecular markers. The presence of different ploidic levels in the 'Morado de Huetor' landrace has been also studied using cytogenetic analysis. Ten decamer oligonucleotides were used to obtain RAPD markers and to characterise 52 individuals of 'Morado de Huetor', 7 of the tetraploid cultivar 'Purple Passion', and 55 of 5 diploid hybrid commercial cultivars. Jaccard similarity index was calculated and a cluster analysis using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method using Arithmetic Average) was performed. Tetraploid asparagus, 'Morado de Huetor' and 'Purple Passion', were well differentiated from the diploid ones showing a higher genetic variability. This result suggests a different origin for tetraploid and diploid asparagus varieties. Within the diploid cultivars a variety distribution was obtained. A specific monomorphic band (OPB20(883)) was found in tetraploid varieties. Within the diploid cultivars, two bands (OPB20(830), OPC15(705)) can be used to distinguish between the hybrid cultivars used in this study. Tri-, penta-, hexa-, and octoploid plants were found in 'Morado de Huetor'. The origin of these ploidic levels is discussed and their use in the development of new varieties is proposed. In conclusion, 'Morado de Huetor' is a genetic resource that could be used to increase the narrow genetic background reported in diploid asparagus cultivars.