Comparison of morphological and RAPD markers in evaluation of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) changes caused by natural selection

Sa？etak Abstract Background and Purpose: Accurate assessment of the levels and patterns of genetic variability and identification of differences resulting from natural selection can be invaluable in red clover breeding for diverse applications. The study was conducted to compare the efficiency of morphological and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in evaluation of changes in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivars caused by natural selection. Materials and Methods: Three red clover cultivars and their selections, which had survived for three years growing in an upland region, provided the basic material. Morphological and RAPD data were analyzed by NTSYS-pc software. The number of markers detected, values and ranges of distances calculated and 2D Principal Coordinate Analyses (2D PCoA) based on both marker techniques were compared. Results: Although both marker methods indicated differences among cultivars and selections, parameters differed in values. The number of loci detected by RAPD markers was much higher than that determined with morphological traits. The values and ranges of morphological distances were higher and wider than those of molecular distances. The eigenvectors of 2D PCoA based on morphological data accounted for more of the total variation observed in the whole data set. Conclusions: Each of the data sets has its own strengths and constraints. For reasonably accurate estimates of genetic variability and its changes under natural selection, adequate attention has to be devoted to both marker methods