MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GENETIC VARIABILITY OF ARATICUM USING RAPD AND MICROSATELLITES MARKERS

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability of the araticum collections from Embrapa Cerrados and others regions near to the Federal District, using RAPD and microsatellites markers as well as morphological analysis. Young leaves of 18 araticum accessions were collected and used for genomic DNA extraction. Genomic DNA samples from each accession were amplified for obtaining RAPD and microsatellites markers. Morphological analysis were performed using 23 characteristics of each araticum accession. Genetic dissimilarities among the 18 araticum accessions showed high genetic variability among them and cluster analysis led to the formation of three similarity groups. It was observed low genetic dissimilarities among accessions from Embrapa Cerrados and high genetic dissimilarities among accessions from others regions. These accessions are important as genetic variability sources to enlarge the current Embrapa Cerrados collection and for future studies of morphological and agronomic germplasm characterization.