Testing somaclonal variation using RAPDs in Quercus suber L. somatic embryos

Somaclonal variation in Quercus suber L. somatic embryos during recurrent embryogenesis was tested by developing Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles. Forty arbitrary 10-mer primers were used to amplify DNA from isolated embryos of 12 genotypes, some of them belonging to two half-sib families. One of the genotypes was also analyzed after several generations of recurrent embryogenesis. RAPD patterns were identical within genotypes and with time in culture. The technique also allowed us to differentiate all the genotypes. The grouping of genotypes, based on their genetic distances using different similarity indexes, was consistent with the known provenance of the embryogenic lines. The absence of detection of somaclonal variation is discussed in terms of the origin of somatic embryos.