Studies on the relationships of Mengshancui jujube with Chinese jujube and wild jujube

The relationship of Mengshancui jujube with 9 Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) varieties and 32 wild jujube (Z.acidojujua C.Y.Cheng et M.J.Liu) types from Shandong province were studied by morphological characteristics analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.The origin of Mengshancui jujube and the evolution of jujube were also discussed.The principal components analysis based on morphological characteristics data indicated that the first principal components value of Mengshancui jujube was 5.42,the second principal components value was (0.64),which were in the middle of Chinese jujube and wild jujube varieties (types) and showed special classification position.The cluster analysis results of morphological characteristics that Mengshancui jujube and No.1 of wild jujube were first clustered together at 6.40 threshold,second with Chinese jujube varieties at 11.75 threshold,then with other wild jujube varieties (types),indicated that Mengshancui jujube was the middle varieties between wild jujube and Chinese jujube varieties.But later RAPD analysis indicated that Mengshancui jujube had closer relationship with wild jujube.The morphological characteristics of Mengshancui jujube was closer with Chinese jujube, its fruit was about 2cm long,with flimsy exocarp and thick mesocarp,the mean individual fruit weight was 3.64g,and leaf longitudinal and traverse diameter was 6.93cm×3.08cm. Then Mengshancui jujube was confered to the middle varieties between wild jujube and Chinese jujube.