title: Genetic diversity assessment of summer squash landraces using molecular markers.
abstract: Plant identification, classification, and genotyping within a germplasm collection are essential elements for establishing a breeding program that enhances the probability of plants with desirable characteristics in the market place. In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used as a molecular tool to assess the diversity and relationship among 20 summer squash (Curcubita pepo L.) landraces traditionally used to treat hypertension and prostate hyperplasia. A total of 10 RAPD primers produced 65 reproducible bands of which 46 (70.77 %) were polymorphic, indicating a large number of genotypes within the summer squash lines. Cluster analysis divided the summer squash germplasm into two groups, one including one landrace and a second containing 19 landraces that could be divided into five sub-groups. Results of this study indicate the potential of RAPD markers for the identification and assessment of genetic variations among squash landraces and provide a number of choices for developing a successful breeding program to improve summer squash.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plant Program, The Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Emad A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mady
authors.forename: Alaa Al-Din
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Helaly
authors.forename: Abdel Naem
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Abu El-Hamd
authors.forename: Arafa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdou
authors.forename: Shamel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shanan
authors.forename: Lyle E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Craker
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers