Assessment of the degree of genetic variation in beet based on RFLP and the taxonomy of Beta

Clones derived from Beta vulgaris and Beta maritima were assayed for their ability to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in different beet accessions . The clones able to detect polymorphism were used as genetic markers to assess the degree of genetic variation existing between and within different species of the genus Beta. The data support the current taxonomy of the Beta vulgaris section, while the great genetic similarity found between Beta webbiana and Beta procumbens indicates that they could belong to the same species . Enough variation was found between Beta vulgaris cultivars, allowing the isolation of a sufficient number of genetic markers for the construction of detailed genetic maps .