ROMANIAN BIOTECHNOLOGICAL LETTERS, vol.16, no.1, pp.98-105, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
RAPD markers and morpho-agronomic traits were used to evaluate genetic diversity among 20 common bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L) that included six developed in Romania, twelve in Turkey and two in GAT Colombia Only 4 of all the 11 random primers used in RAPD reactions showed polymorphism acceptable for an effective characterization of bean cultivars. These four primers (OPA 17, OPG 05, OPG 06, OPG 14) generated 56 DNA bands, of which 29 bands showing polymorphism (51.78%). On average, each primer generated 14 bands, of which 7.25 were polymorphic. Genetic distances were calculated using Nei&Li (1979) similarity coefficient, displayed in a dendrogram (UPGMA method) Cluster analysis based on RAPD amplification products divided genotypes in two main groups. Cluster A comprises 13 bean genotypes distributed in two subgroups and cluster B comprises 7 bean genotypes distributed in two subgroups. Genetic similarity vary greatly (44% - 96%), depending on the pairs of genotypes, on the groups and subgroups. It has lower values between genotypes of different clusters (A and B) and higher values between genotypes within each cluster. The genetic diversity obtained with these markers was similar to that provided by morpho-agronomical traits. According the UPGMA and morpho-agronomical traits, the genotypes were clustered according to on seed size and type of growth. Molecular and morpho-agronomic data sets were equally effective to quantify and organize the genetic diversity of common bean cultivars. The results suggested that the level of genetic diversity among common bean cultivars tested was sufficient for a breeding program and can be used to establish genetic relationships among them with unknown pedigrees.