TITLE:
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Nepalese Populations of Swertia chirayita (Roxb. Ex Fleming) H. Karst Using RAPD-PCR Technique
AUTHORS:
J. K. Chhipi Shrestha, T. Bhattarai, J. Sijapati, N. Rana, J. Maharjan, D. S. Rawal, B. B. Raskoti, S. Shrestha
KEYWORDS:
PCR; DNA Fingerprinting; Molecular Marker; Genetic Diversity; Polymorphism
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.4 No.8,
August
5,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Owing to the
high demand, Swertia chirayita populations in the wild are being
depleted beyond its regeneration capacity. S. chirayita is one of the most valuable medicinal plants of Nepal in trade. Present Molecular investigation was undertaken to understand the
level of genetic diversity in five S. chirayita populations of Nepal using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based Random amplified polymorphic DNA
(RAPD) technique. Thirty four accessions of S.
chirayita along with six outlier accessions were analyzed using 26
arbitrary primers. Of the total 285 amplified bands scored for S. chirayita, 263 bands (92.28%) were
polymorphic. Two major clusters were revealed in the phenogram generated from
cluster analysis using NTSYS-PC software (version 2.21i) for the geographic
populations under study. Principal Coordinate Analysis further
substantiated the results of the phenograms. Swertia chirayita populations from Sankhuwasabha
and Terathum were found to be genetically closest (68%, similar) whilst
Nagarjun and Terathum were found to be most distant (33%, similar).The high
genetic polymorphism reflected in S.
chirayita populations indicates the good survival potentiality and
adaptability in changing environmental scenario. The results thus produced
might be helpful to plant breeders for elite cultivar development. The RAPD-PCR
technique is found to be the rapid and effective tool for genetic diversity
assessment in S. chirayita populations and generated
insights for the formulation of conservation strategy of this vulnerable
species together with its phytochemical distinctiveness.