EVALUATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY AMONG BIDI TOBACCO VARIETIES BY RAPD

Abstract

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to study the genetic variability among the bidi tobacco varieties grown in India. A total of 47 amplified fragments were produced by 13 primers in the cultivars, of which 24 were polymorphic with 51.06% of polymorphism. The primer OPP1 amplified 500 bp fragment specific to the variety Bhagyasree, whereas the primer OPB1 produced a fragment of 200 bp specific to the variety GT-9. The genetic similarity among the varieties varied between 64 and 95%. The maximum genetic similarity (95%) was observed between varieties NPN-190 and Bhavyasree, whereas it was minimum (64%) between the varieties GT-9 and GT-5. On the basis of Unweighted pair group method on arithmetic averages (UPGMA) method of clustering analysis, the 10 varieties separated into two main clusters and the variety GT-9 independently linked to the main cluster. Based on RAPD markers, bidi tobacco cultivars were separated into two main clusters and the sub-clustering pattern was mainly based on parentage of varieties and also based on the region and it revealed close genetic diversity in bidi tobacco. The specific markers identified and amplification profiles of the varieties generated in the present study will be helpful in identifying the varieties.