Comparison of morphological and agricultural characters with molecular ones in Brazilian strawberries

The morphological (form of teeth, angle of the base, and ratio between length and width of leaves, color of leaves, inflorescence position regarding the canopy, calyx size related to the fruit and immature fruit color), agricultural (degree of protection of inflorescence to the leaves and the characteristics of neck presence in fruits, production, number and average weight, amount of soluble solids, pH, texture and external and internal color) and molecular characteristics of strawberries were studied, to identify correlation between morphological and agricultural data to the molecular ones. Field data were collected in Atibaia and Piracicaba (São Paulo State), in 1996. Experimental design was of randomized blocks with four replications and sixteen plants per plot using the cultivars Campinas, Dover, Guarani, Princesa Isabel and AGF 080. The molecular characterization was obtained through the method of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The results of the similarity analysis among cultivars were equivalent, when morphological and agricultural or molecular characteristics were evaluated, indicating that the methods presented the same resolution power to distinguish cultivars. In spite of the unknown origin of 'AGF 080', it was not possible to distinguish it from the 'Campinas' using the method employed. Although Princesa Isabel's origin is similar to 'Guarani', the morphological, agricultural and molecular characteristics presented more similarity to 'Dover' which has no origin relationship with 'Princesa Isabel'.

Fragaria Xananassa Duch.; RAPD; genetic similarity; morpho-agronomic traits