Studies on Genetic Variability in Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Using Rapd and Ssr Markers

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity of twenty genotypes of Pigeonpea using the RAPD and SSR markers. RAPD analysis with ten primers generated a total of 192 polymorphic bands. The number of amplification products produced by each primer varied fi·om 2 to 6. Genetic diversity of twenty genotypes in RAPD analysis as estimated by polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.66 to 0.99.The cluster dendrogram constructed on the basis at data RAPD showed similarity values from 0.60 to 0.89. Dandrogram generated using RAPD data showed two major clusters. Cluster I consist of one genotype while cluster II included nineteen genotypes. Dendrogram revealed that Pant A291 was distinctly related with PN-3 at a similarity coefficient 0.65. SSR analysis generated a total of 96 bands with twenty primers. The number of polymorphic allele ranged from I to 4 with different primers. Out of twenty primers fourteen primers showed 100% polymorphism. Genetic diversity using SSR data as estimated by PIC values ranged from 0.91 to 0.99. The cluster dendrogram of SSR revealed 2 major clusters. Cluster II was the largest and included seventeen genotypes while clusters I comprising of three genotypes. Dendrogram generated using SSR data showed that Pant A-291 was distinctly related with MAL-6 at a similarity coefficient 0.63. Dendrogram of combined analysis revealed 2 major clusters. Cluster II was largest and included sixteen genotypes while, clusters I comprising of four genotypes. In current studies SSR primers namely BMd47, L31 and PVI4 generated higher level of polymorphism and higher level of PIC value. RAPD primers namely OPC 06, OPD 08 and OPJ 13 generated higher level of polymorphism and higher level of PIC value. Hence RAPD and SSR primers can be efficiently used for estimation of genetic variability in Pigeonpea. The information generated from current studies can be used in future breeding programs of Pigeon pea improvement for various traits.