Evaluation of Genetic Diversity Using RAPD Markers in Ocimum

Sixteen germplasm accessions belonging Ocinum (nine Ocimum basilicum and seven Ocimum sanctum) were subjected to Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis in relation to morphometric parameters for estimating the extent of diversity within and between species. Morphological evaluation of the 16 accessions for selected characters showed qualitative variation among the accessions studied. The RAPD analysis revealed comparable inter and intra species variation. A total of 144 bands amplified, 90.79% was polymorphic and 9.02% was unique to a particular accession which made it distinct from all other accessions. Maximum similarity (0.71) was measured between accession IC-369247 and IC-201233 and least similarity (0.34) was measured in IC-387837 and EC-388896. The RAPD profiles would be useful in genetic improvement and authentication of species and genotypes of this medicinally and economically important genus.