Varietal identification in Cichorium intybus L. and determination of genetic purity of F1 hybrid seed samples, based on RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to distinguish between several Cichorium intybus genotypes, comprising four white witloof inbred lines, three red witloof experimental inbred lines and a number of F1 hybrids derived from two white parents. Amplification conditions and reproducibility of RAPD patterns were examined. Comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products obtained by using 100 10-mer arbitrary primers allowed identification of all the lines analysed. With several primers, we defined line-specific RAPD markers, while with others polymorphism was more extensive, revealing several RAPD markers for several lines. All the differences were confirmed both on individual heads and young seedlings for each genotype. Because of the Mendelian segregation of these molecular markers, this method was applied to evaluate the genetic purity of F1 hybrid seed samples.