Chloroplast DNA analysis of eggplant (Solanum melongena) and related species for their taxonomic affinity

Total chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from Solanum incanum, a wild relative of eggplant, was used to probe total DNA of Solanum melongena (eggplant). The DNA fragments detected were the same as observed using purified chloroplast DNA. Chloroplast DNAs were also analysed for nine species of Solanum that are cross-compatible with eggplant: S. aethiopicum, S. anguivi, S. gilo, S. incanum, S. indicum, S. integrifolium, S. macrocarpon, S. olivare and S. panduriforme. Restriction fragments generated by eight enzymes were recorded as present or absent, and a matrix for all fragment positions, species and enzymes was used for cluster analysis. In the resulting dendrogram, the species tested formed three distinct groups: (1) S. aethiopicum, S. anguivi, S. gilo, S. indicum, S. integrifolium and S. olivare, (2) S. incanum, S. melongena and S. panduriforme, (3) S. macrocarpon. Six species of the first group belonging to section Oliganthes appears more closely related to the second group members belonging to section Melongena than does S. macrocarpon, which also belongs to section Melongena. Within the second group, S. panduriforme is slightly more like eggplant than is S. incanum.