Abstract
Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is an outcrossing diploid (2n = 2x = 34) species native to the Mediterranean basin. Traditionally has been grown by vegetative propagation of suckers; seed propagated cultivars are rare, as relatively few populations have been developed with commercially acceptable phenotypic uniformity. Italy is the richest source of variation and numerous distinct clonal cultivars, best adapted to local environments and local tastes are grown. At present the level of variation within and among artichoke cultivars is almost unknown, furthermore there is almost no knowledge of the overall genetic structure of the artichoke germplasm. The objective of this study was to measure, by using RAPD molecular markers, the genetic variability among and within three artichoke populations of Spinoso sardo the most widely cultivated and economically important cultivar in Sardinia. Significant differences among populations for Nei's Hs were found. A high level of RAPD heterogeneity was also observed within each population, which can be attributed to their multiclonal composition and is consistent with the observed phenotypic variability. The level of variability present in the cultivar 'Spinoso sardo' has significant implications for its identification as well as maintenance of its integrity.
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