Assessment of genetic diversity using morphological and molecular markers in traditional cultivars of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically important tropical and subtropical fruit crop consumed worldwide. Alloploidy, nature of cross-pollination and a wide range of predominant agro-ecologies have contributed large genetic diversity of mango in India. In the present study attempt has been made with 16 traditional mango cultivars to get phenomenal insight on genetic variability and cultivars' diversity through deploying morphological and molecular markers. The cultivars were tested for consecutive two years under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Gayeshpur, West Bengal regarding observation on 26 morphological and fruit quality parameters followed by assessing diversity at molecular level through deploying 20 SSR makers. Result showed that adequate genetic variability was existed among the tested genotypes with predominance of additive gene action regarding inheritance of most of the characters. Principal Component Analysis detected seven PCs towards contribution of more than 84.25% genetic diversity harboured by the tested genotypes. Out of 20 SSRs, 8 microsatellites were amplified and produced 27 putative alleles in 16 cultivars. Genetic Divergence through multivariate analysis, as well as through UPGMA dendrograms classified 16 mango cultivars in to five major clusters. The dendrogram revealed that Ranipasand and Gulab Khas were the most similar cultivars with 88 % similarity. Sharing of common gene pool as well as exertion of similar selection pressure during domestication as well as selection of cultivars in this region exhibited similar tradition.