TITLE:
Genetic Diversity in the Semi-Arid Grown Cowpea(Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)Accessions Using Morphological and Molecular Characterization
AUTHORS:
Ahmed A. Elteib, Seif M. Gasim
KEYWORDS:
Cowpea Accessions, Genetic Diversity, Characterization, Morphological Markers, RADP Markers, Polymorphism
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.11 No.8,
August
5,
2020
ABSTRACT: Assessment of genetic diversity of the indigenous crop accessions is
extremely important for breeders to identify potential parents in
cross-breeding programs. Fourteen cowpea accessions collected from different
parts of Sudan were used for characterization at morphological and molecular
levels. The seeds of the accessions were sown in the field using a randomized
complete block design with three replicates. Sixteen morphological descriptors
(9 qualitative and 7 quantitative) and 20 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA
(RAPD) markers were used for characterization of the accessions. The results of
morphological data revealed considerable variability within and between state’s
accessions. Some morphological traits revealed similarity between accessions
from different states. Among the 20 RAPD markers used, 18 were polymorphic. A
total of 379 polymorphic patterns were generated; polymorphic information
content (PIC) ranged from 0.63 to 0.98 with an average of 0.9. The number of
fragment detected ranged from 2 for OPL-11 to 51 for OPY-2 with an average of
26.06/primer and 27.07/genotype. One to five (1 - 5)
unique fragments of different sizes were detected for particular accessions,
which may provide a valuable resource for breeding superior cowpea cultivars in
Sudan and other semi-arid zones. Genetic similarity was ranged from 0.02 to
0.47 with an average of 0.25. Highest genetic similarity was between genotypes
HSD-2966 and HSD-2967 and between genotypes HSD-5131 and HSD-5627
and the lowest was between HSD-5131 and HSD-5861 followed by that between HSD-2976
and HSD-29130 accessions. The study recommends the
combination of morphological and molecular data for more efficient genetic
diversity assessment and management.