The genetic diversity of the American oil palm, Elaeis oleifera (Kunth), Cortes revealed by nuclear RFLP markers.

The genetic diversity of E. oleifera is strongly structured by geographical origin, with four groups clearly distinguished: Brazil, Surinam/French Guyana, north of /Colombia/Central America and Peru. Within the Amazon basin, thereis a moderate structure that corresponds to the major tributaries of the Amazon river. From the 37 polymorphic RFLP probe/enzyme combinatios used, 19 probes (51%) presented simple restriction profiles, with one (1) or two bands/plant, suggesting a single locus with different alleles, allowing allelic co-dominant coding for them.