Evaluation of the Genetic Diversity of several Corylus avellana Accessions from the Romanian National Hazelnut Collection

Romanian hazelnut (Corylus avellana) germplasm is held in a national collection at SCDP Valcea. A clear situation of the held accessions is necessary for an efficient management of the germplasm collection. In order to achieve this, the genetic variability of 43 accessions was assessed using 23 RAPD primers. The RAPD analysis was carried out as a screening test to confirm the genetic identity of some accessions. Based on the screening results, 12 accessions were selected for analysis using nine SSR primers. A high level of genetic diversity was observed (He=0.75, Ho=0.81, F=-0.061) among the analyzed samples. A genetic similarity matrix was constructed and the resulting UPGMA dendrogram revealed three major groups, corresponding to the geographical origin of the accessions. In order to increase the effectiveness of genebank management, the identification of duplicate and mislabeled accessions with the aid of molecular markers is of high interest, especially being the first one of this kind in a Romanian hazelnut germplasm collection