Isozyme diversity, RFLP of the rDNA and phylogenetic affinities among cultivated Lima beans,Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae)

Genetic variation inPhaseolus lunatus (Lima bean) was investigated at isozyme and DNA levels. Sixty cultivated accessions, including representatives of the Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools and intermediate types, were analyzed for variability at 17 isozyme loci. Some accessions were also examined for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the rDNA level. These data were used to construct two dendrograms showing clear separation in two distinct groups corresponding to each of the gene pools and an intermediate one probably representing a transitional group.