Determination of genetic stability of micropropagated plants of ginger using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate the genetic stability of micropropagated plants of Zingiber officinales cv. V 3 S 18 . Fifteen arbitrary decamers were used to amplify DNA from in vivo and in vitro plant material to assess the genetic fidelity. All RAPD profiles from micropropagated plants were monomorphic and similar to those of field grown control plants. No variation was detected within the micropropagated plants. The utilization of RAPD markers both for the assessment of genetic stability of clonal materials and to certify genetic stability throughout the systems of micropropagation is discussed.