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Title: Genetic Diversity of Rhubarb Cultivars

Author
item KUHL, JOSEPH
item DEBOER, VERONICA

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2008
Publication Date: 7/20/2008
Citation: Kuhl, J.C., Deboer, V.L. 2008. Genetic Diversity of Rhubarb Cultivars. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 133(4):1-6.

Interpretive Summary: Rhubarb includes approximately 60 species, primarily distributed throughout northern and central Asia. Rhubarb species have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, however, it was not until the 1700’s that the culinary use of rhubarb stalks was reported. It is thought that culinary rhubarb originated from rhubarb species crossing with other rhubarb species brought to Europe for medicinal purposes. The parental contribution of most rhubarb cultivars is unknown. In this study, DNA markers generated fingerprint analysis of 37 cultivars and four rhubarb species. A total of 1400 scored markers contributed to the fingerprint analysis. Results show at least two groups of related cultivars, and a few distantly related accessions. This study provides an estimate of rhubarb cultivar diversity using DNA analysis.

Technical Abstract: The genus Rheum, commonly known as rhubarb, is composed of approximately 60 species, primarily distributed throughout northern and central Asia. Rhubarb species have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, however, it was not until the 18th century that the culinary use of petioles was first reported. Although the origin(s) of culinary rhubarb is not clear, it is thought that they originated from hybridization of rhubarb species originally brought to Europe for medicinal purposes. Most rhubarb cultivars lack pedigree information and genetic relationship among cultivars is largely unknown. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were generated for fingerprint analysis of 37 cultivars and four rhubarb species. Ten EcoRI and MseI primer combinations were analyzed for a total of 1400 scored polymorphisms, an average of 140 polymorphisms per primer combination. Results show at least two clusters of related cultivars, as well as distantly related accessions. This study provides an estimate of rhubarb cultivar genetic diversity using AFLP analysis.