Abstract:
Forty eight random decamer primers of arbitrary nucleotide were used to amplify genomic DNA through the polymerase chain reaction (RAPD- PCR) in order to identify and discriminate 46 greek grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in Greece and to determine the genetic similarities among these cultivars. Forty four of the cultivars studied showed a unique banding pattern for more than 7 of the primers used. Herefrom, the degree of genetic similarity was calculated and the dendrogram of the 46 Greek cultivars was constructed. The results indicate that there is genetic variation and they also show that RAPD-PCR is a reliable and very useful method for the identification and genetic analysis of grape cultivars.
