ABSTRACT. Genetic similarities and distances between wild-type olives in Turkey were studied using an RAPD-PCR assay. Seven wild olive tree samples were collected from villages in Manisa and Izmir provinces. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and the RAPD-PCR assay was used to generate RAPD markers. Sixty-five random primers obtained from Operon Technologies were tested for the assay (OP-A 1-20, OP-I 1-20, OP-Q 1-20, and OP-J 1-5). Thirtytwo of these primers yielded 115 highly polymorphic bands. The mean number of usable bands per primer for all the samples was 3.59. The genetic distance values ranged from 0.1498 to 0.6845, and genetic similarity values varied from 0.8609 to 0.5043. We found that the closest samples based on their genetic distance and similarity values were from Harlak and Sabancilar; the most distant samples were from Bornova and Bademli.

ABSTRACT. We examined genetic relationships among wild and cultivated olives, which is a very important crop in the economy of the Aegean region. We used RAPD analysis to evaluate relationships among and within 22 olive subspecies from Manisa, Mugla and Izmir provinces in Turkey. Twelve of the subspecies were wild and 10 were cultivated olives. Fifty-two primers were used (OP-Q 1-20, OP-I 1-20, OP-F 14-15-16-17, and OP-K 1-8) and 49 polymorphic bands were selected and used for analysis. The dendrogram based on unweighted pair-group cluster analysis using the SorensenDice coefficient of similarity index indicated two major groups, dividing wild olives from cultivated olives. The patterns of genetic relationships among and within the different olives were analyzed by means of analysis of molecular variance. We found significant differences between wild and cultivated olives (Φ st = 0.1507; P < 0.001). In order to determine the genetic relationship among wild and cultivated olives, principal coordinate analysis was used to examine the variation among subspecies. The wild and cultivated 1551 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 9 (3): 1550-1556 Genetic relationships among wild and cultivated olives olives formed two main groups, one on the right side and the other on the left side of the principal coordinates graph, respectively. This was compatible with the results we obtained from analysis of molecular variance.