Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Varieties by Using RAPD Markers

Aim: Assessment of genetic diversity in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties by using RAPD markers.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Biotechnology of K. K. Wagh College of Agricultural Biotechnology, Nashik, Maharashtra.

Methodology: Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world and normally human being daily consumed in diet. The five Varities were collected from Mahalaxmi Hi-Tech Nursery Nashik. The present study was conducted at K K Wagh college of Agricultural Biotechnology Nashik. DNA was isolated by using modified CTAB method Five Varities were analyzed through RAPD markers to determine the molecular characterization at individual level.

Results: Six arbitrary oligonucleotide primers used in the RAPD-PCR produced a total 38 different marker bands with an average 8 band per primer. Based on the banding pattern 100% polymorphism observed among the tomato varieties. Size range of amplified DNA bands varied from 0.1-10 kb. A total of 14 unique bands were amplified from the genome of the 5 tomato varieties. The dendrogram clustered the tomato varieties into two major clusters. The clusters were subdivided into small groups including the highly related Keshar and 0225, Anisha and Sai-22 varieties. The other Cluster included an isolated variety of Aryaman as a distinctive one. The RAPD data revealed a high genetic polymorphism that can be used to select diverse parents in breeding programs and maintain genetic variation.