Genetic characterization of Indian little millet (Panicum sumatrense) genotypes using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Abstract

Initially, 60 primers were screened among 32 genotypes of little millet (Panicum sumatrense), from which 36 primers were selected on the basis of a sharp and clear banding pattern for final random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The PCR reaction was carried out using a single decamer primer at a time. In total, 175 RAPD marker loci were amplified of which 155 were polymorphic (88.58%). The band size of amplified markers was in the range 100–1900 bp. Ten bands were the maximum scored (for primer OPH-19) whereas two bands were the minimum scored (for primer OPC-13). On average, 4.86 bands per primer and 4.31 polymorphic bands per primer were recorded. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.102 (OPAI-01) to 0.517 (OPE-04). A dendrogram divided the genotypes into two major and further into sub-groups according to their collection center geographical regions. This was the first report on molecular diversity analysis of a large collection of little millet germplasm. Diverse genotypes may be used in breeding programmes for P. sumatrense improvement.