Molecular Relationships and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Venetian Radicchio (Leaf Chicory, Cichorium intybus subsp. intybus var. sylvestre, 2n = 2x = 18) Biotypes

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L., 2n = 2x 18) is naturalized and grows wild in many parts of Europe, South Central Asia N. Africa; moreover, this plant an important leafy vegetable cultivated worldwide. In Italy, horticultural crop known as radicchio, different biotypes are cultivated, especially the north-eastern part Italian Peninsula. Known to be introduced since 17th century Venice area, original biotype, still named “Late Red Treviso”, differentiated over centuries, it was also hybridized with endive (C. endivia), giving origin other biotypes. Several studies, based on morphological characterizations historical reports, describe relationships between most popular local varieties species, but work, focused use molecular marker information obtained through DNA fingerprinting, presents validations new insights into genetic relatedness diversity these By means random amplified polymorphic (RAPD) fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, study provides relationship that intercourses among five historically Veneto region, which geographic centre differentiation vegetable. Through construction a maximum-likelihood dendrogram reconstruction structure core collection, consisting 652 samples belonging radicchio divided 22 old farmer populations, data their origin, distinctiveness, reported discussed.