Abstract

Groundnuts are among the principle economic oilseed largely cultivated in warm regions of Kenya and contribute to domestic food security and cash revenue. The study aimed at evaluating genetic diversity and phenotypic characterization of groundnut varieties grown in some parts of Kenya. Six varieties (ICG83708, ICGV99568, CG7, ICGV12991, RV and Chalimbana) obtained from KALRO (Kakamega) based on quality traits. Seeds were planted in cylindrical cans with 0.2 m3 of soil and allowed to germinate for 3 weeks. Leaf trait measurement was done using 15 cm ruler and the data was recorded in excel spreadsheet and exported to MINITAB v17 software. Extracted DNA was amplified using 11 SSR primers with manual scoring of bands. A dendrogram of cluster analysis was constructed based on simple matching coefficient of 11 microsatellite markers. Principle components showed Eigen values with 67.2% variability of all the traits studied. A total of 35 alleles were detected across the loci of 11 primers used. Major allele frequency ranged from 0.9333 in IPAHM 165 to the least frequency of 0.6333 in IPAHM 176 with an average of 0.7610 across all the markers. The expected heterozygosity had a mean of 0.3178 with highest value of 0.4511 in IPAHM 176. Phylogenetic tree had three major clusters and with high bootstrap values in genotype icgv99568 replicates. Primer IPAHM176 was the most informative marker and should be utilized in selection of parent plants with good quality traits. Breeding programs on groundnuts should utilize grain and seed traits since they are informative and discriminatory.   Key words: Groundnut varieties, phenotypic and genetic characterization, gene diversity.

Highlights

  • Groundnut (Arachis hypongaea L.) is an essential plant both nutritionally and economically for oil and protein source (Ingale and Shrivastava, 2011)

  • The study aimed at phenotypic and genetic characterisation of selected six groundnut varieties grown in Kenya using physical trait measurement and SSR markers

  • Phenotypic characterization is based on visually accessible traits such as length, width, ratio of length to width of the leaves and seeds

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Groundnut (Arachis hypongaea L.) is an essential plant both nutritionally and economically for oil and protein source (Ingale and Shrivastava, 2011). The study aimed at phenotypic and genetic characterisation of selected six groundnut varieties grown in Kenya using physical trait measurement and SSR markers. Phenotypic characterization is based on visually accessible traits such as length, width, ratio of length to width of the leaves and seeds. A detailed account on genotypes ought to help in resolving documentation challenges that arise while keeping records on varieties (Suprapto et al, 2013).

Methods
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.