Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Terminalia Species Using RAPD Markers

Abstract

11 Abstract: Genus Terminalia is considered as complex group having many problems associated with taxonomic identification. Five taxonomically critical Terminalia L. species were analysed with 31 random primers to evaluate genetic diversity and species relationships. From the total 31 primers screened, 26 primers amplified across all species scoring 336 bands of which 305 were polymorphic. On average 12.92 bands per primer were scored. The average polymorphism was 90.77% and eight primers were reported to produce 100% polymorphism. Dendrogram based on RAPD data grouped five Terminalia species in two distinct clusters. Cluster-I comprised 3 species viz. T. arjuna, T. bellerica and T. chebula, while cluster-II comprised 2 species T. tomentosa and T. catappa. Clustering of species was discussed with previous morphological studies.