Molecular phylogeny based on RFLP and its relation with alkaloid patterns in Lupinus plants.

The restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in genomic DNA were detected among six species of Lupinus plants using rice DNA coding for ribosomal RNA (rDNA) as a probe. Additionally, the fragment patterns were compared between alkaloid-rich 'bitter' forms and alkaloid-poor 'sweet' forms of L. albus and L. luteus. The hybridizing patterns for several enzymes were distinguished among these species and between bitter form and sweet form of L. albus. The phylogenic tree constructed from RFLP profiles was related with the pattern of alkaloid production, indicating the usefulness of RFLP for DNA characterization of medicinal plants.