Characterisation of genetic relationships in pansy (Viola wittrockiana) inbred lines using morphological traits and RAPD markers

In this study, genetic relationships between eighteen inbred lines of pansy (Viola wittrockiana) were estimated on the basis of morphological characters and RAPD data. Thirty-one morphological characters were analysed with an unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA). For RAPD analysis, twenty-one 10-mer random primers were selected and 127 polymorphic bands, ranging from 0.2 kbp to 2.0 kbp, were obtained. UPGMA cluster analysis using Nei and Li's distance coefficient, and parsimony analysis using Wagner method, were then performed. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out based on the RAPD data. Inbred lines 1 and 14 were isolated in all analyses, and inbred lines 15,16 and 17 formed a monophyletic group in the RAPD cluster analyses. Inbred lines 6 and 7, and inbred lines 10 and 11 also showed close relationships. However, incongruences existed between these cluster analyses, and the relationships between some inbred lines require further investigation. The results of cluster analyses indicated that flower colour patterns were not suitable for the classification of inbred lines of pansy.