IDENTIFICATION OF SOME HAZELNUT CULTIVARS (CORYLUS AVELLANA L.) WITH ISOZYME ANALYSIS

Isozyme polymorphism in leaf tissues of 15 hazelnut cultivars of different origin was analysed. Five enzymatic systems (6 PGD, MDH, EST, GOT and PRX) were tested using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. System 6-PGD, MDH and EST gave clear and well resolved zymograms. They are useful for identification and distinguishing of hazelnut cultivars. Differences in number and intensy of electrophoretic bands were detected. Cultivars were classified into phenotypic groups based on detected activity levels and calculated relative mobility of electrophoretic bands.

Two enzymatic systems out of five (GOT and PRX) gave indistinct electrophoretic pattern. They were not useful for identification of hazelnut cultivars from the leaf tissues.