Identification of Some Sweet Cherry Cultivars Grown in Amasya by RAPD Markers

Abstract

In this study, 14 sweet cherry cultivars grown in Amasya were identified by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers and the genetic relationships among the cultivars were determined. Twenty-one RAPD primers were screened and eleven primers produced useful amplification for PCR. A total of 68 bands (43 polymorphic) were obtained, with varied band size from 350 to 2800 bp. Using the 43 markers, a similarity index and dendogram were constructed, with the latter divided into two major groups. Thirteen of the sweet cherry cultivars were placed in the first group, while 'Honey Heart' was placed on the second group. Although '0900 Ziraat' was placed in the first group, genetically it was not very similar to others in that group; however, '0900 Ziraat' and 'Honey Heart' displayed a similarity of 50%. The highest similarity in the first group was for 'Haci Ali' and 'Camgoz'.