ASSESSMENT OF RAPD POLYMORPHISM IN RICIN GENOTYPES

Abstract

The aim of this work was to detect genetic variability among the set of 30 castor genotypes using 6 RAPD markers. Amplification of genomic DNA of 30 genotypes using RAPD analysis yielded 50 polymorphic fragments with an average of 8.33 fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments varied from 5 (RLZ7) to 11 (RLZ8) and the amplicon size ranged from 330 to 1200 bp. All 50 amplified bands were polymorphic. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.774 (RLZ7) to 0.870 (RLZ8) with an average of 0.825 and index diversity (DI) value ranged from 0.786 (RLZ7) to 0.872 (RLZ8) with an average of 0.831. The dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis using UPGMA algorithm was prepared. Dendrogram separated ricin genotypes into three main clusters. Two genotypes (RM-72 and RM-73) were genetically the closest. Knowledge on the genetic diversity of castor can be used for future breeding programs for increased oil production to meet the ever increasing demand of castor oil for industrial uses as well as for biodiesel production.