Seed surface architecture and random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles of Paulownia fortunei, P. tomentosa and their hybrid

Abstract

The surface patterns of winged seeds of Paulownia fortunei, P. tomentosa and P. fortunei x P. tomentosa were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The pattern of reticulation on the wings and seed coat of P. fortunei and the hybrid are comparable, while that on P. tomentosa is different and more elongated. Also, the wings are more extended at the oblong ends of the seeds in the former when compared to the wings of P. tomentosa. Distinct random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns were obtained for the three taxa and P. kawakamii with five different random oligonucleotide primers, suggesting that the method can yield genetic markers for differentiating the taxa. Also, Southern blot analyses of the RAPD products of the hybrid and the two parent species revealed shared (inherited) genetic polymorphisms.