DNA Profiling of Chilli (Capsicum Annuum L.)

Analysis of genetic diversity is useful in selecting diverse parental combinations, reliable classification of accessions,for exact identification of variety, for conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. In the present work genetic diversity in 23 chilli genotypes was analyzed by RAPD markers generated by 13 random primers out of which 9 were polymorphic. The amplification profile of these 9 primers consisted of 63 fragments of size ranging from 391 bp to 2754 bp of which 35 were monomorphic and 28 were polymorphic with 44.4 % polymorphism. The number of bands generated by each primer varied from 5 (OPB-10) to 9 (OPB-01 and OPB-15) with an average of 7 fragments per primer. The percentage of polymorphic bands with different primers ranged from 14.29 to 66.67 %. The similarity coefficients detected by RAPD ranged from 0.42 to 0.97 which revealed existence of limited genetic variation among chili genotypes. The consensus tree constructed showed three major clusters. First cluster comprise of 13 genotypes, second cluster of 7 genotypes and third cluster of 3 genotypes. The RAPD technology proved useful in describing genetic diversity among chilli genotypes.