MOLECULAR MARKER ASSISTED STUDIES ON GENETIC DIVERSITY IN BRASSICA SPECIES

Genetic diversity of seven genotypes of Brassica campestris was evaluated by using RAPD primers. A total of 15 DNA bands were revealed wherein 11 polymorphic bands were observed. Highest polymorphism was showed by the primer OPA 7 (87.50%) and lowest by the primer OPA 9 (57.14%). Relatively higher genetic diversity was found among the collected individuals. A maximum similarity based on Jaccard coefficient was showed highest and lowest value (0.750) and (0.364) respectively. The UPGMA cluster analysis revealed three main group of clusters in which one group was found to be sub grouped and other two main groups were found to be divergent. Cluster analysis revealed distant relationship among all the cultivars used in this study. Based on our study, RAPD analysis proved to be a useful tool in assessing the genetic diversity of leafy Brassica germplasm. These results also proved that RAPD markers are highly suitable and efficient tool for genetic characterization of many plant species including oilseed rape and other species