RFLP analysis in chrysanthemum. I. Probe and primer development.

In order to study genetic variability at the DNA level in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) PstI and HindIII genomic libraries were constructed. Probes from both libraries were tested for the presence of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Of the probes from the PstI library 91% appeared to hybridize to low-copy genes, while only 35% of those from the HindIII library appeared to do so. The PstI probes were used in further analyses as 79% of them showed RFLPs, whereas the HindIII low-copy number probes gave only 14% polymorphic patterns. Because of the hexaploid character of chrysanthemum, complex patterns generally consisting of 6-12 fragments were visible on a Southern blot after hybridization. To simplify the genetic analysis, locus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were developed that gave simple polymorphic patterns in a number of cases. The RFLP probes and primers developed will be used in future marker-assisted selection in this polyploid crop.