Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess genetic diversity in Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent (Bignoniaceae) a vulnerable medicinal plant collected from eight locations in Andhra Pradesh, India. High level of genetic similarity was observed in the collected accessions. Forty random primers, each with 10 bases generated a total of 188 polymorphic bands out of the 387 total bands, that is, polymorphism of 49.61% was observed. Overall genetic similarity based on 40 random primers was 87%. Cluster analysis based on Dice coefficient showed two major groups. The results show that the genetic diversity of this species is low, possibly depicting a difficulty in adapting to environmental variations. This distributive pattern of genetic variation of O. indicum accessions provides important baseline data for conservation and collection strategies for this species. The collected accessions were introduced to University of Hyderabad field gene bank along with other redlisted plants of Deccan ecoregion.

Keywords: Conservation, genetic diversity, Oroxylum indicum, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA).

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: CTAB, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide; Taq, Thermus aquaticus; PVP, Polyvinylpyrrolidone; TBE, Tris borate-EDTA.