Identification of the varieties and analysis on genetic relationships of wild and cultivated species of Vaccinium spp. in China using RAPD markers

The genetic relationships among 17 clones of Vaccinium (Vaccinium spp.), including 2 Northeast Chinese wild species and 15 commercial cultivars were evaluated through a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of young leaves. The Rapids generated a total of 115 markers with 15 random primers, of which 98.26% were found to be polymorphic. These RAPD markers could successfully separate individuals from the 17 samples and detect variations in the Vaccinium species. Genetic similarity and genetic distance were measured by Nei's unbiased measurement. Using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram, the unweighted pair-group method indicated that 17 samples were classified into three major groups: two groups of each mild species, and one group of 15 cultivars. The 15 cultivars could be clearly assigned into two subgroups of which the only lowbush sample (Blomidon) was clustered in one subgroup and the other 14 cultivars were clustered in one subgroup. The cluster results had some relativity with the pedigree of cultivars. These indicated that the polymorphic RAPD markers developed in this study should have general utility for identification of the varieties and examination of genetic relationships in blueberry.