Genetic Analysis of Jordanian Olive (Olea europaea L.) Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Sixteen genotypes of the Jordanian olive were analyzed using RAPD to identify and study the genetic relationships among them. The results confirmed the usefulness of RAPD markers as a powerful tool for olive genotypic identification. All the examined genotypes were clearly identified using six primers (OPA-05, OPA- 09, OPA-11, OPA-13, OPZ-11, OPZ-13) out of forty primers tested. The total number of amplification products produced with these primers was 247, where fragment size ranged between 300 to 1500 bp. The similarity among the sixteen genotypes ranged from 32% between genotypes ‘Khodeiry’ and ‘Mary Abu Shuka’ to 91% between genotypes ‘Nabali baladi’ and ‘Raseei’. The constructed dendrogram showed two main clusters. The first cluster included ten genotypes that have medium to large fruit size; with exception of ‘Nabali’, they have low oil content. The second cluster included six genotypes that have small fruit size and growing mainly for oil production. A relationship was found between the genetic materials from one side, and the fruit size and oil contents from the other side. Pairwise comparisons and cluster analysis of the similarity values confirm the usefulness of RAPD markers for investigation of genetic variations among olive genotypes