Phenotypic and molecular evaluation of genetic diversity of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes

Abstract

The genetic diversity and relationships among rapeseed genotypes were evaluated using quantitative analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Ten morphological and biochemical traits (plant height, height to the first branch, stem diameter, branch number, leaf number, pod number, seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, oil content and protein content) were analyzed in a three-year field experiment with 30 winter rapeseed genotypes. RAPD analysis was performed with 13 primers, chosen according to previous results. Significant genetic variability among the genotypes was obtained at both the morphological and molecular level. Nine out of the thirteen RAPD primers that were used for the analysis enabled the estimation of DNA polymorphism of the genotypes, while the other primers were monomorphic. Dendrograms obtained for morpho-biochemical traits and for the RAPD results were compared. In both cases partial grouping of genotypes based on their geographical origin was established.