Genetic Characterization of Asian Chestnut Varieties Assessed by AFLP.

Abstract

The genetic diversity of 24 Asian chestnut varieties, including 14 Japanese chestnuts (Castanea crenata) originating in Japan or the Korean Peninsula, 7 Chinese chestnuts (C. mollissima) and 3 other Castanea species, was characterized by AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) using 9 primer combinations. About 60% of the amplified fragments (165/271) were polymorphic bands which were observed on both intra-species and inter-species. All varieties were identified from the differences of more than 14 bands and a lot of variety-specific AFLP fragments could be obtained. A phenogram of chestnut varieties was constructed based on polymorphisms. According to the phcnogram, all C. crenata cultivars originating in Japan were grouped into the same cluster with Shibaguri varieties which were considered the native species. In contrast, the genetic diversity of C. crenata cultivars from the Korean Peninsula was fairly extensive compared to that of C. crenata in Japan. These results suggest the possibility that cultivated chestnut in Japan might have been derived from Shibaguri or the possibility that both might have originated from the same ancestor. In addition, the genetic diversity among C. mollissima and the genetic relationship between C. crenata and C. mollissima were discussed.