Characterization and Identification of F1 Hybrids in Eucalyptus by PCR Study using Random Primers

A differential pattern in the RAPD profile of Eucalyptus F1 natural hybrids FRI-4 (E. terticornis x E. camaldulensis), FRI-5 (E. camaldulensis X E. tereticornis) and controlled reciprocal crosses FRI-14 (E. torelliana X E. citriodora) along with their parental combinations was assessed through Polymerase Chain Reaction using commercially available primers. After electrophoresis of PCR product the RAPD banding pattern generated DNA fragments with 0.2 ~2.0 kbp as molecular weight. Out of the 17 primers used six were found to be polymorphic. Out of the 6 polymorphic primers, the primer M-122 was found to be the most polymorphic, generating 24 bands in three genotypes of FRI-14 and 15 in the parental combinations involved in its hybridization. The banding profile generated male specific loci confirming the hybrid status of the F1 genotypes. Further few hybrid specific loci were also observed when the amplification was carried out using the six polymorphic primers that can be used as a marker for the identification of hybrids at nursery stage.