Genetic diversity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) from Central Mexico revealed by morphological and RAPD markers

Abstract

Guava fruit produced in Calvillo, Aguascalientes (Mexico) is considered to be of the best quality in this country. Nevertheless, growers from this place empirically know that there is a noticeable variation among individual trees within the same orchard, and variation among individuals from different orchards. In order to have a clear evidence of this, morphology analysis of guava was performed taking data from seventy nine individuals out of thirty six orchards, while RAPD was performed on a subset of twenty six individuals. Similarity was found for morphology data ranging from 87-100%, while similarity from RAPD data ranged from 30- 100%. Combined data of RAPD and morphology showed similarity greater than 80%. Clades from combined data sorted genotypes into clearly defined groups according to fruit shapes and banding pattern. These markers could be used as helper tools for breeding programs for guava genotypes of Mexico. Furthermore, these may help on the claims from growers when checking origin authenticity if packed guava from somewhere else is labeled as guava from Calvillo.