Genetic Studies of Populations of Wild Celery (Apium graveolens L.) in California

Abstract

Six isolated populations of wild celery in California (U.S.A.) were contrasted with respect to alleles at five isozymic loci. Wild populations were dimorphic at two to three of the five loci, while commercial cultivars grown in the same area were nearly or completely fixed at these loci. Significant differences in allelic frequencies were observed among populations at two of the loci. Preliminary assessments of gametic flow within populations suggested that plant density and population structure are correlated with out-crossing rate. Possible origins of wild celery in California are discussed.