Eighteen enzyme systems were examined in Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. using starch gel electrophoresis. Seven out of 12 active isozyme systems revealed one or more polymorphic loci (PGI, GOT, MR, G-6PDH, MDH, NDH, and 6-PGDH). However, the segregation and linkage analyses were performed only for PGI, GOT, G-6PDH and 6-PGDH systems. Gene segregation at these loci was regular, except for a few trees that showed segregation distortion. Weak linkage disequilibrium between loci was detected, but it was not enough to influence the multilocus estimate.
Erva-mate (matê); electrophoresis; loci; allele; segregation
