Classification of Chinese kale cultivars by RAPD analysis

Abstract

The genetic relationship of 20 Chinese kale cultivars (Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra L.H. Bailey) was examined by RAPD analysis using 12 dodecamer oligonucleotide primers singly or in combination. The cultivars examined were classified into three groups based on the numerous polymorphisms of DNA fingerprints. The first group consisted of nine cultivars with white petals and wrinkled leaves (8 cultivars), such as 'Large leaf kailaan' and a cultivar with white or yellow petals, 'Nanjing huanghua (huang)'. The second group included six cultivars with yellow petals and dark green leaves (2 cultivars), such as 'Huanghualenye' and those with yellow petals and pale green leaves (4 cultivars), such as 'Huanghuagelin'. The third group included five cultivars with white or yellow petals (1 cultivar), such as 'Nanjing huanghua (baì)', and white petals without wrinkled leaves (4 cultivars), such as 'Hei' and 'Small leaf kailaan'. These results suggest that the Chinese kale cultivars with yellow petals diverged from those with white petals when they were introduced into Taiwan from China.