A Cultivar by Any Other Name: Genetic Variability in Heirloom Bell Pepper 'California Wonder'

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis can provide a means of evaluating and comparing genetic variability within cultivars. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative genetic variability between accessions of two open-pollinated bell pepper cultivars: 'California Wonder', an heirloom cultivar, and 'Jupiter', a modern cultivar. RAPD molecular markers were used to assess the genetic variability between accessions of these two cultivars. The high levels of genetic variability found among accessions of 'California Wonder' may preclude its use as a standard cultivar in research.