Applying DNA Barcoding to Identify Actinidia in the Northeast of China.

Identification of kiwifruit germplasm materials is the basis of protecting and utilizing these resources. However, identifying Actinidia arguta varieties based on morphology is difficult, especially for non-specialists. In this study, we collected 180 specimens comprising 60 varieties of three species (A. arguta, A. kolomikta, and A. polygama) from the Northeast of China. The emphasis of our study was on the feasibility of identifying A. arguta varieties. Here, we used common analysis methods (genetic distance, phylogenetic analysis and the DNA barcoding gap) and SNPs analysis to evaluate the discriminatory power of different DNA barcoding markers. The results revealed that common methods were insufficient to identify A. arguta varieties but SNPs analysis based on DNA barcoden was the potential method for identifying A. arguta varieties. Besides, Our study agree that DNA barcoding could be used to analysis the evaluation genetic relationship of the Actinidia plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]