Genetic Diversity of Perilla and Related Weedy Types in Korea Determined by AFLP Analyses

Abstract

ABSTRACTPerilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. frutescens is extensively cultivated on a large scale throughout the Korea, whereas var. crispa is not. The weedy types of both var. frutescens and var. crispa are often found along roadsides, waste lands, and around farmers' fields. Although Perilla is one of the important leafy vegetable and oil crops in Korea, systematic analyses on its genetic structure have been limited and are needed for future breeding progress. The objective of this study was to determine genetic diversity and relatedness in Korean accessions of Perilla. Field surveys and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses were conducted to determine genetic diversity. Analyses of 30 Perilla accessions by seven AFLP primer combinations identified a total of 121 fragments, of which 72 (60%) were polymorphic at the species level. Shanon's index of diversity Hs of the AFLP variations for cultivated type of var. frutescens, weedy type of var. frutescens, and weedy type of var. crispa were 0.63, 2.00, and 1.75, respectively. The weedy type of var. frutescens exhibited the highest variation. Most of the AFLP variation (78%) resided within populations. In the phylogenetic tree, two major clusters were recognized: (i) cultivated type of var. frutescens and weedy type of var. frutescens and (ii) weedy type of var. crispa. Although the wild species of P. frutescens has not been identified, the weedy Perilla is the key taxon for our understanding of the origin of cultivated var. frutescens.