Description of morphological characters of wild Lactuca L. spp. genetic resources (English-Czech version)

Abstract

Of about 100 Lactuca species, there are only 22 represented in world gene bank collections. The description of morphological and other important features of wild lettuce accessions and a correct taxonomic ranging increase their potential successful utilization. A broad study of 22 wild Lactuca species, their morphology, anatomy, karyology, DNA content and isozyme variation, and a search of large number of literature sources (description keys, floras, monographs) provided a base for an elaboration of a descriptor set. This set consists of 88 descriptors and 24 of them are elucidated by figures. It provides a tool for Lactuca species characterization and determination and for a discrimination of an infraspecific variation. Obtained data can be used for description of wild Lactuca genetic resources and also for research purposes.