Abstract

Molecular genetic fingerprints of indigenous turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes were developed using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker to elucidate the genetic diversity among the genotypes. DNA was isolated using CTAB method. The amplification was accomplished by using 10 primers and the specific PCR working program. Ten decamer-primers generated 95 RAPD fragments, of which 92 fragments were polymorphic with 96.84% of polymorphism. Some of the RAPD markers were useful for genotypes discrimination and identification. Most of the RAPD markers studied showed different level of genetic polymorphism. Amplified fragment sizes ranged from 200 to 3640 bp. Pair-wise Nei and Li’s similarity coefficient value ranged from 0.00 to 0.71 for 20 genotypes of turmeric. A dendrogram was constructed based on the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages. Cluster analysis of data using UPGMA algorithm placed the 20 genotypes of turmeric into four groups that are somewhat congruent with classification based on morphological characters proposed by earlier works. This analysis grouped all genotypes from Bannu with two Haripur genotypes and clearly differentiated Kasur and Bannu genotypes into separate groups. This method of analysis can be helpful in selecting diverse parents and give broadness to the germplasm base of turmeric breeding programs in the future.

Key words: Curcuma longa, RAPD markers, genetic diversity, polymorphism, UPGMA, Pakistan.