Molecular analysis of genetic stability of micropropagated blackberry and blueberry plants using RAPD and SRAP markers

Authors: Doina CLAPA, Orsolya BORSAI, Monica HÂRȚA, Radu Cristian SISEA, Doru PAMFIL

Abstract:

Micropropagation of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plants is a successful alternative for plant material production. Among the micropropagation methods developed axillary bud stimulation is the most commonly used method for mass propagation of different plants and considered the most reliable method to guarantee genetic stability of the regenerated plants obtained by micropropagation. Although, a major problem of this type of propagation method is the somaclonal variation which can occur among the subcultured plants of the parental line, especially after a high number of subcultures. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the genetic stability of the micropropagated plants of two blackberry cvs. ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Chester Thornless’ and three blueberry cultivars (‘Aurora’, ‘Draper’ and ‘Liberty’) using RAPD and SRAP markers. Our results reveal that, no genetic variations were shown amongst the mother plants and micropropagated plants of the investigated species providing thus further evidence for the genetic stability.

Published: Fruit Growing Research, Vol. XXXV, 2019