Genetic analysis of banana cultivars and fidelity testing in somatic embryo derived Ney poovan (Elakki bale) using SRAP (sequence related amplification polymorphism).

Abstract

Abstract Bananas and plantains are a major staple food in many countries. In the current study, the genetic variability of ten banana cultivars (i.e., Grand naine, Monthan, Nendran, Ney poovan, Rasthali, Robusta, Red banana, Kadali, Musa balbisiana , Calcutta 4) were analyzed using SRAP. SRAP amplification resulted in a total of 6028 strong, clear, and reproducible bands from 10 cultivars using 13 forward and 16 reverse SRAP primers (208 SRAP primer combinations), Of 6028 bands 96.77% were polymorphic and 3.221% were monomorphism. In addition, the fidelity testing of plants derived from somatic embryo was carried out. The 24 SRAP primers were employed for DNA analysis which produced a total of 153 clear, distinct and reproducible amplicons of variable size. Out of 24 SRAP primers, 9 primers produced amplification patterns which are identical between the mother plants and plants derived from somatic embryogenesis. Cluster analysis depicted more than 95% genetic similarity between the somatic embryogenesis derived plants and the mother plants indicating a high degree of genetic fidelity.