The Open Biology Journal

2008, 1 : 35-42
Published online 2008 October 28. DOI: 10.2174/1874196700801010035
Publisher ID: TOBIOJ-1-35

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

Robert L. Jarret, *

* Address correspondence to this author at the USDA/ARS/PGRCU, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223; Tel: 770 228 7303; Fax: 770 228 7282; E-mail: bob.jarret@ars.usda.gov

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.