Elucidation of genetic parameters among some selected genotypes of prickly oil lettuce (lactuca serriolla L.) in Egypt, using morpho-agronomic traits and RAPD markers.

Fifteen selected genotypes of prickly oil lettuce were assessed for genetic variation (variability, heritability and genetic advance) and molecular characterization of RAPD markers. Significant variation were detected for all studied characters among genotypes. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation values were observed for seed weight, oil yield per plant, and number of main branches per plant. Most of the traits exhibited a high heritability value. High genetic advance coupled with high heritability was observed for oil percent, plant height and seed weight. RAPD analyses showed 43 DNA bands scored by the 6 primers used. These bands were identified as 18 polymorphic and 25 monomorphic ones with 41.8% polymorphism. The dendrogram of the 10 selected genotypes were divided into two main groups. The first one comprises 5 selected genotypes, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, while the second one includes the other five selected genotypes. These results suggested that, assessment of genetic variation parameters and RAPD markers is helpful for possible distinguishing, identifying, characterizing, and selection processing of genotypes of prickly oil lettuce.