Morphological, chemical and molecular characterization and seed vigour studies in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation comprised of 20 varieties of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) was undertaken to characterize the varieties based on morphological and molecular markers including protein, isozymes and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. All the varieties were also studied to know the vigour potential and also to find out suitable predictor for seedling establishment. The study revealed that morphological characters like days to 50% flowering, plant height, plant appearance, days to maturity, number of umbels per plant, number of umbellets per umbel, number of seeds per umbel and seed yield per plant were found important diagnostic characters for categorizing these varieties. Seed characters such as seed size, seed shape and test weight clearly differentiated the varieties into different groups. Total soluble seed protein analysis using SDS-PAGE revealed that varieties namely Sadhna, Sindhu, RCr-436 and RCr-684 gave different banding patter from rest of the varieties showing dissimilarity from them. Similarly, superoxide dismutase isozymes analysis using native PAGE revealed that varieties like CS-6, Sindhu and Swathi gave different banding pattern from rest of the varieties and showed dissimilarity from other varieties. However, peroxidase isozyme analysis showed lack of polymorphism in bands and hence, it could not differentiate the coriander varieties. Twenty RAPD primers were used to assess molecular polymorphism in the coriander varieties. A total of 90 bands were obtained from twenty random primers and out of that 73 bands were polymorphic while 17 bands were monomorphic resulting in 81.1 per cent polymorphism among the varieties. The majority of bands were polymorphic (73 bands, 81.1%) and only 17 bands (18.9%) were monomorphic. Out of twenty primers, four primers gave 100 per cent polymorphism. A few primers produced specific allele/DNA band which distinguished the variety from rest of the varieties. Results showed that RAPD bands were more effective and clearly differentiated varieties from each other but no primer gave polymorphism with all the varieties simultaneously. Maximum vigour potential was shown by GC-2, CS-6, H. Anand, H. Surbhi, RCr-435, RCr-436 and RCr-480 varieties, which showed superiority for almost all vigour parameters. Standard germination, tetrazolium test, and Accelerated ageing test were found the most suitable predictors for seedling establishment in coriander.