Abstract
Twenty-one accessions of African nutmeg ( Monodora myristica Gaertn. Dunal), an endangered spice plant, were collected from the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria and analyzed for genetic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-one (21) decamer primers were tested out of which 10 that gave reproducible band patterns were selected for the study. A total of 77 bands were generated, ranging from 3 for OPB17 to 13 for OPT07, and were all polymorphic. The mean polymorphic information content ( PIC ) and genetic diversity ( H e ) were 0.673 and 0.697, respectively, indicating high genetic variation among the accessions. Cluster analysis delineated the accessions into four major groups. The maximum similarity index (0.88) based on Dice coefficient was recorded between AGL-01 and CRS-01 while the least (0.13) was between UGA-02 and EKW 01. The derived data was thus able to determine the extent of molecular variation underlying RAPD size polymorphism. Results obtained from this study proved that RAPD could be successfully used as a molecular tool for diversity study in M. myristica . The distributive pattern of genetic variation of M. myristica accessions provides important baseline data for conservation and improvement strategies for this species. Keywords: African nutmeg, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic variation, polymorphic information content (PIC), similarity index, Monodora myristica African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(42) 4105-4111
Highlights
Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal known as Calabash nutmeg, Jamaican nutmeg or African nutmeg, is a useful but neglected tropical tree of the familyAnnonaceae
The average similarity index based on Dice’s similarity matrix ranged from 0.13 to 0.88 (Table 4) and the genetic differences obtained based on the 10 Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers ranged from 0.540 to 0.938 with an average index of 0.698 (Table 3)
The number of fragments observed in this study using RAPD markers was satisfactory for interprettation and conversion into molecular data for the populations studied
Summary
Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal known as Calabash nutmeg, Jamaican nutmeg or African nutmeg, is a useful but neglected tropical tree of the family. It is perennial and found mainly in the evergreen and deciduous forests of tropical African countries,. (GRIN, 1985; Iwu, 1993). The plant can grow up to 35 m in height and 2 m in girth with conspicuous, attractive and scented flowers. The large subspherical fruits contain brown, oval, aromatic seeds (Figure 1) which when ground are used as a spice or condiment in African cuisines, providing a flavour resembling that of nutmeg, Myristica fragrans (Celtnet Recipes, 2011). The bark, seed and leaves are used in treating various ailments in African traditional medicine, (Erukainure et al, 2012).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
