Evaluation of AFLPs for variety identification in modern rose (Rosa hybrida L.)

Rose is one of the most important vegetatively propagated ornamental plants in France. It is also a plant very susceptible to mutations and infringements. The rose breeders require a powerful and reliable technique for variety identification to prevent frauds. The AFLP technique was explored for this purpose. We studied a set of varieties of modern rose (106) originated essentially from French rose breeders. Among those varieties, some of them are closely related: (1) sports and their original varieties, (2) varieties of half- or full-sib, and (3) varieties related by pedigree. About 400 AFLP markers were generated using 11 prescreened primer combinations. The polymorphic band positions per primer pair ranged from 25 to 45, with an average of about 36 markers per primer combination. The main conclusions from the present study were (1) a high level of AFLP polymorphism among varieties of modern rose, (2) no difficulty in identifying Varieties from selection by AFLP even between varieties of half- or full-sib, (3) no difference or very low distance values between sports and their original variety.