This study was carried out dUring 1998 to 2002 to establish an efficient
protocol for generating somaclonal variations in strawberry via anther culture ard
selecting the promising ones for the strawberry breeding programs in Egypt. T~n
strains from Camarosa. and a strain from each of Capitola and Chandler were
subjected to nursery and fruit produc:tlon trials in a randomized complete blocks
design. Cytological studies and DNA f-ngerprintings were carried out 'or the selected         strains.                                                                                                                       I Ail examined root lips of all selected strains showed that the chromosome
number was 56 (octaploid) as in the original cultivars. The pairwise differences among
strawberry genotypes were calculated by (SPSS). The analysis was based on the
number of mac1c.el'l that were different between any given pair of genotypes. lihe
results of analysis showed two groups. The highest value of similarity was observed
between the two Camarosa strains C8 and C9; which dustered together and closely
grouped with Chandler strain 61. and the three genotypes could also be grouped "Yith
Camaro$8 Cultivar. Also, C5 and C6 Camarosa strains Showed a second grqup
together. with a high similarity value, and they were clustered with Camarosa strain
C10, and the three strains couid be grouped with Camarosa strain C3. Moreo er,
Camarosa strain C4 was dosely grouped with the last mentioned four strains. The study conclude that, consensus fingerprint prOf.ing using the rando Iy
amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPO) mac1cers is a useful and reliable method for
establishing genetic identities of the strawberry cultivars and advanced selecti ns.
regenerated from anther culture.