Genetic diversity within cultivated teas based on nucleotide sequence comparison of ribosomal RNA maturase in chloroplast DNA

Identification of Teas Cultivated in Eastern, Southeastern and Southern Asia Based on Nucleotide Sequence Comparison of Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase Large-subunit of Chloroplast DNA and 18S Ribosomal RNA of Nuclear DNA

“…The nucleotide sequence data comparison supports the view that the tea varieties and wild species have high genetic similarity to each other (Katoh et al, 2003). Nevertheless, the rbcL locus is taxonomically conservative because the rate of nucleotide substitution is estimated to be about 1.1 × 10 _ 9 per year per site (Curtis and Clegg, 1984, Zurawski et al, 1984, Wolfe et al, 1987.…”

“…Comparison of matK nucleotide sequences resulted in the following classification: CSs was placed in the CJ and AA types, CSa in types AA, AB, AE and AD, CIt in types AC, IC and IM, and CTa in types TM and TV (Katoh et al, 2003).…”

“…Wachira et al (1995) has shown the existence of a commercial tea cultivar related to a lineage of C. irrawadiensis in the southeastern Asia region. Katoh et al (2003) Chloroplasts in C. sinensis are genetic evidence of maternal inheritance (Carriveau and Coleman, 1988). The analysis of rbcL in cpDNA will be useful in clarifying the origin of one side of the genome of the cultivars.…”

“…Some natural hybrids of C. sinensis and C. irrawadiensis are known to exist in these areas (Wright andBarua, 1957, Wood andBarua, 1958). Katoh et al,(2003) also reported that endemic cultivated teas in Myanmar and Yunnan, China are genetically similarity to C. irrawadiensis and C. taliensis. Most cultivated teas are possible hybrids resulting from the natural crossing of morphologically close taxa.…”

“…assamica are indistinguishable from each other (Katoh et al, 2003). It is thought that accurate taxonomic assessment is important for the conservation of sources of desirable genes.…”