determination of genetic diversity between eggplant and its wild ...

1994b and Karihaloo and Gottlieb 1995). The distribution of the species in a wide
region in the world and the existence of different origins of diversity and cultivation
areas makes classification much more complicated (Lester 1997, Daunay et al. 2001,
Lester and Daunay 2003, Levin et al. 2006 and National Research Council 2006). In
addition to these problems, classification attempts were generally based on these
morphological data which were in fact assisting the confusion about systematics (Mace
et al. 1999b, Daunay et al. 2001, Furini and Wunder 2004 and Doganlar et al. 2002b).
However, with new technology and as a result of accumulated molecular knowledge,
genotypic information has started to be integrated into eggplant systematics and
classification attempts (Daunay et al. 2001).
The Solanaceae as a family has also importance in genetic studies as well as
great economic importance (Daunay et al. 2001, Frary et al. 2003 and WEB_4 2007).
Three of the model systems used in plant genetics today: tomato, potato and tobacco,
are members of the Solanaceae family. Two of these crops, tomato and potato, belong
to genus Solanum (WEB_4 2007). Figure 1.11. shows the phylogenetic relationships
among species used in biological studies.
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