Geographical distribution of ribosomal DNA variation in taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, in eastern Asia

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 128; no. 2; pp. 165 - 172
• Main Authors: MATSUDA, Masahiko, NAWATA, Eiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.01.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Genetics. Plant material; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Geographical distribution; Microbiology; Origin, evolution, domestication; Plant material; Asia; South east Asia; Far east; Monocotyledones; Genetic variability; Tropical zone; Ribosomal DNA; Colocasia esculenta; Temperate zone; geographical distribution; Restriction fragment length polymorphism; Araceae; Geographic distribution; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Tuber plant; taro; Plant introduction; RFLP
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1020825418469

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the ribosomal RNA gene loci (rDNA) was investigated in 227 accessions of taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, from China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Eighteen different restriction fragment patterns of rDNA were observed. The results were largely consistent with a previous classification based on isozyme data. Some rDNA patterns were distributed extensively in the temperate zone from inland China to Japan. On the other hand, some other patterns ranged in coastal and/or insular areas from the tropical zone to the temperate zone (Japan). These geographical distributions may suggest two different routes for the introduction of taro into Japan: one from China,and the other most likely from Southeast Asia, via Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan).[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]