DNA FINGERPRINTING OF CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTIVARS USING RAPDs

Genetic variation in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) was examined using random amplified polymorphic DNA. Thirteen commercial chrysanthemum cultivars representing standard, spray and no pinch--no stake groups were selected to assess the genetic relatedness. Genetic variation was studied using 60 random decamer primers. Of these, 31 primers amplified genomic DNA. For the cultivars tested, between 2 to 21 bands were obtained for each primer and of a total of 257 clear and reproducible bands, 239 bands were polymorphic. The amplified DNA fragments normally ranged from 0.55 to 2 Kb. The primers screened revealed RAPD fragment(s) unique to a particular cultivar. For 11 of the 13 genotypes, it was possible to find at least one such primer that differentiated particular cultivar. RAPD data of different cultivars were used to calculate squared euclidean distance matrix and based on this, cluster analysis was done using unweighted pair group cluster analysis by arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Genetic variation amongst cultivars was high enough to divide them into two major groups. These groupings were in consistent with their morphological differences and geographical distribution. The first group consisted of Snow Ball, Ajina Purple and Sonar Bangla cultivars, while the second group accounted for Nagpur Red, Haldighati, Cardinal, Puja, Jaya, Suneel, Vasantika, Gauri, Flirt and Baggi. The results indicate that RAPDs are efficient for identification of chrysanthemum cultivars and for determination of genetic relationships.

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