Using RAPD for estimating genetic polymorphism in and phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Lycopersicon (Tourn.) Mill

RAPD genome analysis of 53 species and cultivars of the genus Lycopersicon (Tourn.) Mill. revealed their high genetic polymorphism (Tourn.) Mill., based on which their phylogenetic relationships were inferred. In total, 248 polymorphic DNA fragments were amplified. Intraspecific polymorphism was maximum (79%) in L. peruvianum and minimum (9%) in L. parviflorum. In general, genome divergence among cross-pollinating tomato species was substantially higher than in self-pollinating species. An UPGMA dendrogram constructed from the RAPD patterns was consisted with the Lycopersicon phylogeny inferred from the molecular data of RFLP, ISSR, and microsatellite analyses and with a classification based on morphological characters. The relationships of taxa within the genus Lycopersicon are discussed.