Abstract

The present study was conducted to characterize the genetic diversity of 10 germplasm accessions of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L) Gaertn) collected from diverse locations spread across the geographical zone of Northern Nigeria.  The digest was carried out using the molecular marker Restriction Fragment Digest (RFD on agarose gel while EcoR1 and Hind III restriction enzymes were used to cut the genomic DNA at specific sites. The results of our findings using RFD generated four clear DNA bands of molecular weights ranging from 10000, 8500, 1000 and 200 KDA. This clearly suggests the existence of polymorphism among the plant accessions.  These results demonstrate the high variability that exists amongst the genetic traits for these germplasm accessions. Information on this plant is very useful in unraveling the pedigree genetic relationships, as well as, in designing breeding and selection experiments for improvement of this crop. It will further stimulate growing interest on the genetic diversity and classification of this crop.

Key words: Genotypic, restriction digestion, finger millet, Eco R1, Hind 111, northern Nigeria.