Evaluation of Genetic Diversity among Ocimum sanctum

Abstract

In this study the evaluation of genetic diversity among Ocimum sanctum was undertaken. The method used to find variation among Ocimum sanctum was restriction fragment length polymorphism excluding blot hybridization. The Ocimum sanctum plants were taken from five different regions of Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Karaikudi, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Tanjavur and Puducherry. Along with whole plants the soil and water samples in the regions of the plant was also collected. DNA was isolated using CTAB protocol with ammonium acetate and ethanol precipitation. Then the DNA was quantified and restriction digested with EcoR1 and HindIII (double digested). Double digested Lambda DNA (EcoRI and Hind III) was used as marker and the samples along with marker were electrophoresed in 0.8% agarose gel at 80V and the bands were observed in UV trans illuminator. Based on observation of bands the plants from Karaikudi, Tanjavur, Kancheepuram and Puducherry may have been descended from Chennai plants and Vellore plant may have been descended from Karaikudi plant. There was sufficient variation to predict the migration pattern of the plant. And variation among water-hardness and pH and soil-N, P, K content and pH was also diverse. The measured soil and water characteristics may be few of the reasons for the variation among Ocimum sanctum around Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.