Genetic Comparison Of Castanea dentata And Castanea mollissima Using RAPD Analysis
Open Access
Author:
Briley, Nicole Elizabeth
Area of Honors:
Biology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Sairam V Rudrabhatla, Thesis Supervisor Sairam V Rudrabhatla, Thesis Honors Advisor Thomas Eberlein, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Castanea dentata mollissima chestnut American Chinese RAPD PCR Molecular Cryphonectria parasitica disease resistance
Abstract:
Castanea dentata, the American chestnut, is all but extinct thanks to a fungal predator brought to America by the importation of C. mollissima (the Chinese chestnut). Cryphonectria parasitica ravaged the C. dentata population; yet, it seemingly had no effect on the C. mollissima plants. This study was designed to look at the genetic diversity between American and Chinese chestnut using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers employing 13 different primers. The resulting amplified DNA bands checked on agarose gels were analyzed for similarities and differences based on common band size. The results indicate distinct bands mainly around 700 and 1200 base pairs that only existed in the Chinese chestnut species. Future studies will look closely into the relevance of these differential bands and their possible a role in the development of fungal disease resistance, particularly against C. parasitica.
