Fingerprinting and pedigree analysis in Eucalyptus globulus using RAPDs

Abstract

RAPDs were used to confirm clonal fidelity and distinguish individuals of varying degrees of relationship in Eucalyptus globulus. RAPD variation was examined amongst ramets derived from 10 ortets which were either full-sibs, half-sibs, or unrelated, as well as their parents. Genetic similarity amongst samples was calculated from 117 RAPD bands using the simple matching coefficient. RAPD variation within clones was trivial compared to the variation found even between full-sib clones. Genetic similarity decreased with pedigree distance. The pedigree of the material was successfully displayed by UPGMA clustering of the genetic similarity matrix, with parents generally clustering with their offspring. In a second experiment, 120 RAPD bands allowed the successful discrimination of selfs from their intra- and interprovenance half-sib outcrosses and again genetic similarity decreased with pedigree distance. These results clearly indicate that RAPDs have great potential for estimation of outcrossing rates and pedigree analysis.