DNA Barcoding in a Crop Genebank: The Capsicum annuum Species Complex
RESEARCH ARTICLE

DNA Barcoding in a Crop Genebank: The Capsicum annuum Species Complex

Robert L. Jarret, * Open Modal
Authors Info & Affiliations
The Open Biology Journal 28 Oct 2008 RESEARCH ARTICLE DOI: 10.2174/1874196700801010035

Abstract

Variability within eight cpDNA introns including trnS-trnfM, trnL-trnT, trnH-psbA, trnF-trnL, trnD-trnT, trnCrpoB, rps16 and matK, and the nuclear waxy introns was examined in seven species of Capsicum (C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. pubescens, C. chacoense and C. rhomboideum) in order to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing these loci for DNA barcoding within the C. annuum complex. Numerous insertions/deletions (indels) and substitutions were detected in all cpDNA introns. However, none was sufficient to differentiate the individual members of the C. annuum complex (C. annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens). Variation within trnL-trnT, trnF-trnL and trnH-psbA enabled the differentiation of the complex from the other taxa examined. In contrast, single base indels and substitutions within the waxy introns permitted the differentiation of all taxa within the plant materials examined. The use of trnH-psbA or trnL-trnT, and the waxy introns is proposed for barcoding members of the C. annuum complex.