Genetic variation in natural populations of "Vaccinium oxycoccus" and "Vaccinium microcarpus" in Norway using RAPD markers

This study characterized the genetic diversity of two populations of cranberries, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Genetic variation among and within two V. oxycoccus and V. microcarpus populations with RAPD profiles was investigated. Twenty two clones were sampled in one Norwegian region. RAPD analyses of 9 primers have shown 160 polymorphic loci in the total sample. Polymorphism level in V. oxycoccus population was 86.88%, in V. microcarpus 77.50%. High genetic variability was detected within population 98% and among populations was only 2%. Shannon’s Information Index was 0.3. Nei’s gene distance 0.013 indicating a low divergence between population. Most bands were common to all populations. Both populations were found to exhibit low levels of genetic variation, e.g., expected heterozygosity (Hexp = 0,011 and 0,010). Clusterings of plants in each population were made using UPGMA analyses and observed in the dendrogramBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta